Sangamon Sun

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

The keywords specified in the request were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As a news organization, we at Sangamon Sun are dedicated to 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.

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

This data provides valuable context for understanding the broader landscape of education in Illinois. It underscores our commitment at Sangamon Sun to ensure transparency in how our educational institutions operate and make decisions that impact our communities.