A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Millstadt Consolidated Community School District 160 on January 28, 2025. The request, sent by Metro East Sun, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As part of their journalistic duty to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable, Metro East Sun requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. They also expressed a preference for receiving the information in an electronic format.
In their request, Metro East Sun emphasized their role as a media organization in gathering and reporting news to the public. They stated that access to public records is crucial for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities. In light of this role in disseminating information, they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
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.
As we continue our work at Metro East Sun, we believe that access to such information not only aids us in providing accurate reports but also helps ensure transparency within our local government institutions.
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