A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Silvis School District 34 on January 28, 2025. The request, sent by Rock Island Today, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The keywords in question were “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The aim of this request is to gather information essential for fulfilling professional responsibilities as journalists, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
As a member of the media, Rock Island Today believes it is eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional. This belief is rooted in their role in disseminating information to the public.
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 FOIA request represents an ongoing commitment by Rock Island Today to hold educational institutions accountable and ensure transparency in their operations.
