On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Carrier Mills-Stonefort Community Unit School District. The request was made by SE Illinois News, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a media organization, SE Illinois News is involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given their role in disseminating information, 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. Interestingly enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
SE Illinois News continues its mission to provide comprehensive coverage of local government affairs by making such requests under the Freedom of Information Act. They aim to ensure transparency within public institutions while informing their readers about important issues within their community.
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