A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Galatia Community Unit School District 1 on January 28, 2025. The request, issued by SE Illinois News, seeks access to all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.
The two key phrases in question are "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The purpose of this request is to gather information related to these terms for comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs. As a media organization, we at SE Illinois News are committed to providing accurate and in-depth reports about public institutions.
Our goal is to ensure transparency and accountability in these organizations. We believe that access to such public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.
In relation to this request, 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 stands at 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is at 17:1. Interestingly enough, more than half - 58% - of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
These figures provide context for our ongoing investigation into local educational affairs. As always, we remain dedicated to providing comprehensive news coverage for our readership.
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