Peoria Standard

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Pleasant Hill School District 69 by us at Peoria Standard. The request seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to these public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

The keywords mentioned in the request, "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study", are likely related to educational materials or curricula used within the school district. Lucy Calkins is a well-known figure in literacy education, and her Units of Study program is widely implemented in schools across the country.

In light of this request, it's important to consider some statistics about Illinois' education system. 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 stands at 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Interestingly enough, over half - 58% - of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.

We continue our commitment as journalists to gather and report news that holds public institutions accountable and provides transparency for our readership. We await response from Pleasant Hill School District 69 regarding our FOIA request.