Sangamon Sun

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the El Paso-Gridley Community Unit School District 11 on January 28, 2025. The request, sent by the Sangamon Sun, a media organization dedicated to comprehensive and accurate news coverage of local governmental affairs, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year containing specific keywords.

The keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As per the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, the Sangamon Sun requested these records in an electronic format. The organization emphasized its role in gathering and reporting news to the public, stating that access to public records is essential for fulfilling its professional responsibilities. These responsibilities include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.

The Sangamon Sun also noted its eligibility for a fee waiver as a media professional under this act. This request reflects their ongoing commitment to keeping local government activities transparent and accountable.

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, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As we continue our mission at Sangamon Sun to provide comprehensive news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe such requests are vital for maintaining transparency within our education system.