On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Grand Ridge Community Consolidated School District 95. The request, made by the Illinois Valley Times, seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.
The Illinois Valley Times is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The FOIA request specifically asks for any communication that includes the terms “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”.
As members of the media, we at the Illinois Valley Times are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which 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.
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 stands at 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
We will continue our efforts to provide transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.
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