On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the West Washington County Community Unit District 10. The request was made by South Central Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These terms are often associated with educational materials and curriculum planning. As such, their appearance in official communications could provide insight into the district's teaching strategies and priorities.
South Central Reporter emphasized its role as a news organization in gathering and reporting news to the public. They stressed that 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, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, indicating a high number of students per administrator. Similarly, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, it's reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This data provides context for understanding educational practices within Illinois school districts like West Washington County Community Unit District 10. It will be interesting to see how these statistics relate to the information requested under FOIA by South Central Reporter.
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