A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Harmony-Emge School District 175 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Metro East Sun, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a news organization, Metro East Sun believes that access to public records is essential for fulfilling its professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of their role in disseminating information, Metro East Sun requested a fee waiver as a media professional. They are yet to receive a response from Harmony-Emge School District 175 regarding this matter.
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. Interestingly, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
At Metro East Sun, we believe that these figures highlight the importance of transparency in our educational institutions. We continue to strive for accountability in our reporting and will update our readers as soon as we receive any further information regarding this FOIA request.
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