On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the McHenry Community Consolidated School District 15. The request was made by us at the McHenry Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The 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, we believe access to public records is essential for fulfilling our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We have requested these documents in electronic format under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
In relation to this story, it’s important to note some key statistics about education in Illinois. 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.
These figures provide context for our ongoing investigation into educational practices within McHenry Community Consolidated School District 15. We remain committed to keeping our readers informed about developments in local government and education policy.
