On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the River Forest Public Schools District 90. The request, made by West Cook News, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".
West Cook News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. The requested records will assist in fulfilling their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
The FOIA request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. West Cook News has requested these documents preferably in electronic format. As a media outlet involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, 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.
This data highlights the importance of transparency within our educational institutions. As we continue our work at West Cook News, access to such records remains crucial for us to keep our community informed about local governmental affairs.
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