A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the North Pekin-Marquette Heights School District 102 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Peoria Standard, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that 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 public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
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, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
This FOIA request aligns with our commitment at Peoria Standard to ensure transparency within our local government bodies. We continue to hold these institutions accountable for their actions while keeping our readers informed about important issues impacting their communities.
