Peoria Standard

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Rankin Community School District 98 regarding specific emails and memos dated from the past year. The request was sent on January 28, 2025.

As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Peoria Standard requested records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The records requested were copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”.

The purpose of this request is to gather information for news reporting. Access to public records is essential for us at Peoria Standard to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. As a media organization disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver.

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 is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure transparency in educational institutions and hold them accountable for their actions. We will continue our pursuit of truth in service of our readership.