West Cook News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Western Springs School District 101 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request, made by West Cook News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.

The keywords in question are "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As part of our journalistic responsibility at West Cook News, we believe it is essential to have access to public records. This aids us in holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.

In relation to this request, it's worth noting some key 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 stands at 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, over half - 58% - of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.

Western Springs School District 101 Principal Dr. Brian Barnhart (2023) | Western Springs School District 101

We at West Cook News remain committed to bringing light to important issues affecting our local government and educational institutions. We believe that transparency is key for an informed citizenry and will continue our efforts to provide comprehensive coverage on these matters.