A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Marissa Community Unit School District 40 on January 28, 2025. The request, made by Metro East Sun, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
As stated in the request, Metro East Sun's commitment to providing transparency to the public and holding public institutions accountable necessitates access to these records. The media organization also believes it is eligible for a fee waiver as a professional news outlet.
The request comes at a time when educational policies and practices are under scrutiny across 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 stands at 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is at 17:1. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
At Metro East Sun, we believe that understanding these figures is crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of our education system. Accessing these records will allow us to provide our readers with comprehensive information about local governmental affairs and contribute towards increased transparency within our community.
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