On January 28, 2025, we at the Lake County Gazette submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Tri Valley Community Unit School District 3. The request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The keywords specified in the request were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As journalists committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to such public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We believe that as media professionals involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
In related news, 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, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Interestingly, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
Our mission at Lake County Gazette is to provide comprehensive coverage on matters that affect our community. We will continue our efforts to ensure transparency and accountability within our local institutions.
Alerts Sign-up