On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Tonica Grade School in Illinois. The request was made by us at the Illinois Valley Times, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. These records were requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, preferably in electronic format.
As a media organization, we 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.
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. Furthermore, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
We believe this information will shed light on important issues related to education policies and practices within Tonica Grade School and potentially other educational institutions within Illinois. We will continue our efforts in promoting transparency within our local government institutions.
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