A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Woodland Community Unit School District 5 regarding emails and memos on January 28, 2025. The request was made by us at McLean County Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. This information is being sought under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. We have requested that these records be provided in an electronic format for ease of access and analysis.
As a media organization, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which 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.
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. It's also worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
We will continue our efforts to keep you informed about important developments within our local government institutions. Please stay tuned for updates on this FOIA request.
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