A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Johnston City Community Unit School District 1 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by a reporter from the Carbondale Reporter, a media organization committed 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". The reporter stated that access to these public records is essential for fulfilling their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
As a media professional, the reporter believes they are eligible for a fee waiver when requesting this information. The goal of this request is to provide transparency about potential influences or changes in educational strategies within the school district.
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.
At Carbondale Reporter, we believe that transparency is key in maintaining trust between our educational institutions and the public they serve. We will continue our efforts to hold these institutions accountable by seeking out and reporting on such information.
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