On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Galena Unit School District 120. The request, made by NW Illinois News, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The two key phrases specified in the request were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As a news organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate coverage of local governmental affairs, we at NW Illinois News believe access to such public records is crucial for our role in holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency.
As part of our journalistic duty, we aim to gather and report news that directly impacts the public. We requested these documents under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, preferably in an electronic format. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The student-to-administrative ratio averages at 141:1 and the student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 17:1. It's also noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
This data underscores our commitment to investigating matters related to education and its administration. We continue to work towards providing accurate information that contributes to increased transparency within our local government institutions.
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