McLean County Times

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Lexington Community Unit School District 7 regarding emails and memos from the past year. The request, dated January 28, 2025, was made by us at McLean County Times.

The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the previous twelve months 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, we believe access to these public records is essential in fulfilling our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, we have requested a fee waiver for this information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

Paul T. Deters Superintendent at Lexington Community Unit School District 7 | Official Website

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 enough, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

This data underscores our commitment to ensuring transparency in how our educational institutions operate. By gaining access to these records through our FOIA request, we aim to continue shedding light on issues that matter most to our community.