A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Dupo Community Unit School District 196 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Metro East Sun, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, we at Metro East Sun believe that access to these public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities.
As we continue our investigative reporting into local education matters, it’s important to note some key statistics about education in Illinois. 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. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
This data provides a backdrop against which we can examine the specific details contained within the requested emails and memos. We hope that this investigation will shed light on educational practices within Dupo Community Unit School District 196 and contribute to ongoing conversations about education policy in Illinois.
We at Metro East Sun remain committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency for our readers.
