On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Mendota Township High School by the Illinois Valley Times. 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 at the Illinois Valley Times believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We are currently awaiting a response from Mendota Township High School.
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, 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
The data gathered from this FOIA request will contribute to our ongoing investigation into education practices and policies within Illinois schools. As always, we remain committed to providing our readers with transparent and accurate reporting on these important issues.
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