A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the East Peoria Community High School District 309 on January 28, 2025. The request, made by the media organization Peoria Standard, asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”.
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Peoria Standard are seeking these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. Our primary goal is to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.
We have requested these documents preferably in electronic format for ease of access and analysis. As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as per the provisions of the 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 average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, indicating a high level of administrative involvement in education. Additionally, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1 which suggests a favorable learning environment. Interestingly enough, it’s worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois possess a master’s degree or higher.
The information requested will help shed light on internal communications within East Peoria Community High School District 309 over the past year concerning “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. This effort aligns with our mission to ensure transparency in local government affairs.
We await a response from East Peoria Community High School District 309 regarding this FOIA request.
