A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Elwood Community Consolidated School District 203 regarding emails and memos on January 28, 2025. The request was made by us at the Will County Gazette, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
We requested copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study.” This request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for receiving these records in an electronic format.
As members of the media, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. 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, 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 information underscores our commitment at Will County Gazette to hold institutions accountable by seeking transparency through requests like this one. We believe it is crucial for citizens to understand how their schools operate and where resources are allocated. As always, we will continue working tirelessly to provide accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
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