On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the La Grange Highlands School District 106. The request was made by us at Peoria Standard, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These terms are believed to be relevant in our ongoing investigation into local educational practices and policies.
As members of the media, we rely heavily on access to public records in order to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes 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.
In related news, 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.
We will continue our efforts to bring light to important issues within our local government and educational system. We believe that transparency is key in fostering trust between these institutions and the communities they serve.
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