On January 28, 2025, we at West Central Reporter submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Brussels Community Unit School District 42. The request was specifically for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
As a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.
In relation to this request, it's worth noting some data regarding education in Illinois. 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 that for every one administrator there are approximately 141 students. The average student-to-teacher ratio is lower at 17:1. Interestingly, over half of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher – standing at an impressive rate of 58%.
We look forward to sharing more information with you as we continue our efforts towards transparency and accountability in local government affairs.
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