On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Niles Elementary School District 71 by North Cook News. The request seeks access to copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".
North Cook News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of our commitment to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public, we believe it is essential to have access to these records.
The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving the information in an electronic format. As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
In relation to this request, it's worth noting some data about Illinois' education system. 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 average student-to-administrative ratio is reported as being 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Furthermore, it's stated that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This information underscores our commitment at North Cook News to ensuring transparency within our educational institutions and holding them accountable for their actions. We will continue working tirelessly towards this goal.
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