On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Crescent-Iroquois Community Unit School District 249. The request, made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization dedicated to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.
The keywords in question are "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The purpose of this request is to provide transparency to the public regarding these specific topics within the school district's communication. As a media organization, we at Lake County Gazette are committed to holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
We believe that access to these records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
In related news, according to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1 and the average student-to-teacher ratio is at 17:1. Interestingly enough, over half - 58% - of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
As we continue our mission of providing comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs, we remain committed to shedding light on important issues affecting our community through transparent reporting practices.
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