On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Peotone Community Unit School District 207u. The request, made by the Will County Gazette, sought access to copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The terms in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study." As an organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at the Will County Gazette believe this information is crucial for maintaining transparency and holding public institutions accountable.
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, under which this request was made, allows citizens access to public records with few exceptions. It's an essential tool for media organizations like ours as we strive to keep the public informed about the operations of their government.
In addition to our FOIA request, it's worth noting some key statistics about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, over half—58%—of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
These figures provide valuable context as we continue our investigation into local educational practices and policies. We look forward to receiving a response from Peotone Community Unit School District 207u regarding our FOIA request.
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