McLean County Times

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the McLean County Unit School District 5. The request, made by us at the McLean County Times, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.

The keywords specified in the request were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As an organization dedicated to comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe that access to these records is crucial for our reporting. Our role involves 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 also believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.

Kristen Weikle Superintendent at Mclean County Unit School District 5 | Official Website

In related news, 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 stands at 141:1 and the average student-to-teacher ratio is at 17:1. It's also worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As always, we remain committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. We will continue our efforts to ensure transparency and accountability within our public institutions.