Will County Gazette

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Taft School District 90 by us at the Will County Gazette. The request seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain specific keywords.

The keywords in question are "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These terms are significant as they pertain to educational methodologies and curriculum frameworks. Lucy Calkins is a renowned educator known for her work in developing writing workshops for students, while "Units of Study" is a term often used in education to refer to comprehensive lesson plans or curriculum modules.

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe access to these records is essential. It will allow us to fulfill our professional responsibilities which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

In light of our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140.

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, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.