Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Fremont School District 79. 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 sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As members of the media, we at Lake County Gazette are involved in 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, it's worth noting some statistics 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. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

These statistics provide context for our FOIA request as they reflect the current state of education in Illinois. We will continue our efforts to provide transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.