Sangamon Sun

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Pleasant Plains Community Unit School District 8 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by us at Sangamon Sun, 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 year that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As members of the media, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.

In relation to this, it's important to note some statistics about education in Illinois. 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. Furthermore, it's noteworthy that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

Pleasant Plains Community Unit School District 8 Principal Mr. Luke Brooks (2023) | Pleasant Plains Community Unit School District 8

We at Sangamon Sun continue our commitment towards ensuring transparency and accountability within our local institutions. We will keep you updated as we receive more information regarding this FOIA request.