A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Prairieview-Ogden Community Consolidated School District 197 on January 28, 2025. The request, sent by Chambana Sun, a media organization dedicated to comprehensive and accurate news coverage of local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year containing specific keywords.
The two keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These terms are significant in the field of education, with Lucy Calkins being a well-known educator and author specializing in writing and reading workshops. "Units of Study" is a term often associated with her work.
As members of the media, we at Chambana Sun are committed to providing transparency to the public and holding public institutions accountable. Access to these records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. 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, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
We look forward to receiving these records promptly so that we can continue our mission of providing comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs.
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