On January 28, 2025, we at the Peoria Standard submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Canton Union School District 66. The request was made in pursuit of emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.
The keywords specified were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The intention behind this request is to gain insight into any discussions or decisions made within the school district that involve these terms.
As members of the media, our role involves gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records such as these is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These responsibilities 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.
Our aim at Peoria Standard is to continue providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. We believe that transparency in education is crucial for improving outcomes for students and fostering trust within our community.
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