Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Winthrop Harbor School District 1. The request, filed by the Lake County Gazette, seeks access to all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.

The keywords in question are "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". This request is part of the Gazette's ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As a media organization, we believe it is our duty to hold public institutions accountable and ensure transparency for the public.

The FOIA request specifically asks for these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The requested documents are preferred in an electronic format for ease of review and analysis.

We at the Lake County Gazette have requested a fee waiver for this information as a media professional. We believe that access to public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities which include disseminating information to the public.

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. It's also worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As we continue our reporting on this matter, we will share any relevant updates or findings from these records with our readers. Our commitment remains providing comprehensive coverage on matters affecting our local government and education system.