On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Sterling Community Unit District 5 by NW Illinois News. The media organization requested copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".
As a news organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate coverage on local governmental affairs, we at NW Illinois News believe access to public records is crucial for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public.
The request specifically seeks documents related to "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study", terms presumably associated with educational programs or initiatives within the district. By accessing these records, we aim to shed light on the district's operations and practices over the past year.
In addition to this specific request, it's important to consider broader context regarding education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, in 2023, the average state teacher salary was $73,916, while the average administrative salary stood at $116,908. Furthermore, the average student-to-administrative ratio was recorded as 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Interestingly enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
As we continue our mission to provide accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we remain hopeful that our FOIA request will be granted swiftly and without undue burden. This will allow us to keep our readers informed about important issues affecting their community.
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