A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Carbon Cliff-Barstow School District 36 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Rock Island Today, a media organization committed 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”. These terms are likely related to educational programs or initiatives within the school district.
As members of Rock Island Today, we believe access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
In relation to this, it's worth noting some statistics about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while 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, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
These figures provide context for our ongoing investigation into local education matters. As always, Rock Island Today remains committed to delivering transparent and accountable reporting on issues that matter most to our community.
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