Lake County Gazette

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 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 FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The aim is to provide transparency to the public about these specific topics within the school district.

As representatives of Lake County Gazette, we believe access to public records is essential for us to fulfill 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.

Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 Principal Dr. Tom Lind (2023) | Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157

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. Interestingly, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

The response from Richmond-Burton Community High School District 157 regarding this FOIA request will provide further insight into how these figures relate to their own operations and educational practices.