Lake County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, we at the Lake County Gazette submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the New Holland-Middletown Elementary School District 88. The request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

As a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to public records is crucial for us. These records enable us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In line with our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

Our FOIA request aims to shed light on matters pertaining to these key educational figures and how they may be reflected in communications within New Holland-Middletown Elementary School District 88. We remain committed to delivering insightful news about local government affairs that matter most to our readers.