A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Raccoon Consolidated School District 1 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by South Central Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. These terms are associated with educational materials and teaching methods used in many schools. The purpose of this request is to provide transparency and hold public institutions accountable for their actions.
As representatives of South Central Reporter, we believe that access to these records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
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. Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois possess a master’s degree or higher.
We at South Central Reporter continue our commitment to providing comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs and will keep our readers updated on any developments regarding this FOIA request.
