A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 on January 28, 2025. The request, made by the Galesburg Reporter, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, sought access to specific records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
The requested documents are copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. The Galesburg Reporter expressed their interest in these records as part of their mission to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.
As members of the media, we at the Galesburg Reporter are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. 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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This data provides context for our investigation into correspondence within Galesburg Community Unit School District 205 over the past year. We will continue our work towards ensuring transparency within our local government institutions.
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