On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Northwestern Community Unit School District 2. The request, made by South Central Reporter, sought access to all emails and memos from the past year containing the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".
South Central Reporter is a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their ongoing efforts to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public, they regularly utilize the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
The request for these specific documents is aimed at gaining insight into the school district's internal communications regarding Lucy Calkins and Units of Study. Lucy Calkins is a well-known educator and author who has developed Units of Study for teaching reading and writing skills in grades K-8.
In addition to this request, South Central Reporter has also asked for a fee waiver as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news to the public.
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, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Furthermore, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have earned a master's degree or higher.
As we continue our mission at South Central Reporter to provide comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to such information is crucial. It not only helps us fulfill our professional responsibilities but also ensures transparency for the public whom we serve.
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