Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Mount Olive Community Unit School District 5 by the Lake County Gazette. The media organization is seeking access to all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

As a news organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the Lake County Gazette believe that access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, under which this request has been made, allows for such access to public records. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.

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 was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1 and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Furthermore, it's reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We will continue our efforts to provide transparency in local government affairs and keep you updated on any developments regarding this FOIA request.