North Cook News

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Winnetka School District 36 in Illinois. The request was made by North Cook News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The requester, representing North Cook News, emphasized the importance of access to public records for their role in gathering and reporting news to the public. They further argued that this access is essential for fulfilling their professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In addition to this, they stated their belief in being eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. It is yet unclear how these requested documents will contribute to their ongoing reporting or what specific story they are investigating.

Winnetka School District 36 Principal Kelly Tess (2023) | Winnetka School District 36

According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, and the state average Administrative Salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As we at North Cook News continue our mission of providing comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that transparency is key. We look forward to receiving these records from Winnetka School District 36 as part of our ongoing efforts to hold public institutions accountable.