A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the River Grove School District 85-5 in Illinois on January 13, 2025, by West Cook News. The media organization requested information about the number of non-U.S. citizens, referred to as "migrants" in the request, currently enrolled in the school district.
West Cook News is a media outlet dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. In the FOIA request, it was emphasized that access to public records is essential for their role in disseminating information and holding public institutions accountable. As such, they believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
The context surrounding this request is crucial considering the educational landscape in Illinois. 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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
As we at West Cook News continue our mission of providing transparency to the public and holding public institutions accountable, we await a response from River Grove School District 85-5 regarding our request.
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