A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the East Dubuque Community Unit School District 119 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by NW Illinois News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a media organization, we at NW Illinois News believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In addition to our commitment to transparency, we are also dedicated to understanding the context in which these documents exist. 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. Furthermore, the average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. It's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
As we continue our investigation into these matters, we remain steadfast in our belief that access to this information is not only beneficial but necessary for ensuring accountability within our public institutions. We await a response from East Dubuque Community Unit School District 119 regarding our FOIA request.
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