A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lostant Community Unit School District 425 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the records in an electronic format.
As members of the media at Lake County Gazette, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for 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 also worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This information is critical as it provides context for our investigation into educational practices within Illinois schools. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.
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