On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Rockridge Community Unit School District 300. The request was made by us at Rock Island Today, a media organization dedicated to delivering comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The aim is to gather information for reporting news to the public. As journalists, we believe access to public records is crucial in fulfilling 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 a media professional under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140. This Act allows for preferential treatment in terms of costs for members of the media who are involved in news gathering and dissemination.
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 report also highlighted that the average student-to-administrative ratio is 141:1, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Interestingly enough, it was found that 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
We at Rock Island Today continue our commitment to bring you comprehensive coverage on matters affecting our community. We await response from Rockridge Community Unit School District 300 regarding our FOIA request.
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