Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Sunnybrook School District 171. 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 FOIA request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords. The keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These terms may relate to educational materials or programs used within the school district.

As members of the media, we at the Lake County Gazette are committed to 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.

In relation to this story, it's important to note some statistics about education in Illinois. 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. Additionally, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We will continue our work in ensuring transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.