A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Geff Community Consolidated School District 14 on January 28, 2025. The request, made by the Lake County Gazette, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, seeks access to all emails and memos from the past year containing 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 and hold public institutions accountable. As a media outlet, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a professional entity involved in gathering and reporting news to the public.
In relation to this story, it's important to note some data about Illinois' education system. 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. Furthermore, the average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. It's also worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This information can provide context as we continue our investigation into these specific keywords within the school district's communications over the past year. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available through our FOIA request.
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