A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Shelbyville Community Unit School District 4 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The FOIA request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for electronic format delivery.
As representatives of Lake County Gazette, we believe access to public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. It's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
The outcome of this FOIA request could provide valuable insights into educational practices within Shelbyville Community Unit School District 4. As always, we at Lake County Gazette remain committed to delivering comprehensive news coverage that promotes transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.