A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Lyons School District 103 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by West Cook News, a media organization committed to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These records are sought under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, preferably in an electronic format.
As representatives of West Cook News, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. 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. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
In relation to this, it's worth noting some statistics about education in 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 is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This FOIA request is part of our ongoing efforts at West Cook News to ensure transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.
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