A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Monroe School District 70 regarding copies of all emails and memos from the past year containing specific keywords. The request was made by Peoria Standard, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, on January 28, 2025.
The requested records should contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study.” As members of the media, we at Peoria Standard are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to these public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In addition to this request, it’s important to note some key facts 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 is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
As we continue our mission of delivering accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to such information will greatly contribute towards fostering transparency within our community.
