A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Sunset Ridge School District 29 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by North Cook News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. These terms are often associated with educational programs and teaching methodologies. The request emphasized the role of North Cook News in gathering and reporting news to the public, holding public institutions accountable, and providing transparency.
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability, we at North Cook News believe that access to these records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. We also highlighted our eligibility for a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The report also revealed that the average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have earned a master's degree or higher.
Our mission at North Cook News is to continue shedding light on important issues within our local government and educational systems. By requesting this information under FOIA, we aim to provide further insight into how our schools operate and how decisions are made that impact our community.
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