Peoria Standard

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lewistown Community Unit School District 97. The request was made by the Peoria Standard, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The request emphasized the importance of access to public records for news reporting purposes, with the aim of holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

As representatives from Peoria Standard, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals given our role in disseminating information.

Lewistown Community Unit School District 97 Principal Jeff Braun (2023) | Lewistown Community Unit School District 97

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 stood at $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, indicating a high level of administrative support for students. Meanwhile, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly, over half (58%) of teachers in Illinois have earned a master's degree or higher.

This data underscores our commitment at Peoria Standard to keep you informed about educational issues and developments within our local government institutions. We will continue to provide updates on this FOIA request as more information becomes available.