On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the East Moline School District 37. The request was made by Rock Island Today, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a media organization, Rock Island Today stated that access to public records is essential for them to fulfill their professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
In light of their role in disseminating information, Rock Island Today believes they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. They have requested these records preferably in electronic format 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. Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master’s degree or higher.
As we continue our work at Rock Island Today to provide comprehensive coverage on local governmental affairs, we remain committed to ensuring transparency and accountability within our public institutions.
