A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Metamora Community Consolidated School District 1 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request, sent by us at Peoria Standard, seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”.
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe access to public records is essential for our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.
In relation to this request, it’s important to note some key figures about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
This FOIA request forms part of our ongoing commitment to scrutinize educational practices and policies within local government institutions. We continue to strive for transparency and accountability within these systems.
