On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Pleasant Hill Community Unit School District 3. The request, made by West Central Reporter, a media organization dedicated to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year containing specific keywords.
The keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The purpose of this request is to provide transparency to the public and hold public institutions accountable. As a media organization involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, West Central Reporter believes it is eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
In addition to this FOIA request, it's worth noting some statistics about 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. Furthermore, the average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1 and the average student-to-teacher ratio at 17:1. Interestingly enough, over half - specifically 58% - of teachers in Illinois have earned a master's degree or higher.
These statistics shed light on the current state of education in Illinois while providing context for our ongoing investigation into educational practices within Pleasant Hill Community Unit School District 3. As we continue our work at West Central Reporter, we remain committed to bringing transparency and accountability to our local institutions.
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