On January 28, 2025, we at McHenry Times sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Community Unit School District 300. The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
As a news organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
We have requested these documents under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, preferably in an electronic format. Given our role in disseminating information to the public, we have also asked for a fee waiver as media professionals.
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, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
The keywords mentioned in our request - "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study" - are related to educational programs and teaching methods used within schools. By obtaining these records, we aim to shed light on how these programs are being implemented within the district and their impact on student learning outcomes.
We await a response from Community Unit School District 300 regarding our request.
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