Chambana Sun

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Danville Community Consolidated School District 118. The request, made by the Chambana Sun, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."

The FOIA request emphasizes the importance of public access to records for news organizations. As stated in the request, such access is essential for journalists to fulfill their professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

The Chambana Sun believes that it is eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional given its role in disseminating information. It has asked for these records preferably in an electronic format.

Danville Community Consolidated School District 118 Principal Dr. Alicia Geddis (2023) | Danville Community Consolidated School District 118

This FOIA request comes at a time when education and administrative costs are under scrutiny. 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 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.

It remains unclear how these figures relate directly to the requested documents; however, they provide valuable context regarding educational standards and spending within Illinois schools. The Chambana Sun continues its mission of holding institutions accountable by shedding light on these matters through diligent reporting and investigation.