On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Nettle Creek Community Consolidated School District 24c. The request was made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These records were requested in electronic format under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
As representatives of the Lake County Gazette, we believe that access to public records is crucial 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 believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
In relation to this request, it's worth noting some data about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Furthermore, it was reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
The Lake County Gazette remains committed to providing thorough and transparent coverage of local government affairs. We will continue our efforts to hold public institutions accountable through diligent reporting and access to public records.
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