A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Franklin Park School District 84 regarding copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords. The request was made by West Cook News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, on January 28, 2025.
The requested records are sought under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. The specific keywords mentioned in the request are “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As part of our commitment to transparency and public accountability, we at West Cook News believe these documents will provide valuable insights into the district's operations.
As a media organization, we have requested these records in an electronic format for ease of access and dissemination. We have also asked for a fee waiver given our role in disseminating information to the public.
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 is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
We believe that access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. We will continue working tirelessly towards this end as we await a response from Franklin Park School District 84 regarding our FOIA request.
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