On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Red Bud Community Unit School District 132 by SW Illinois News. The request pertains to any emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
SW Illinois News is a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their mission, they requested these records under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for an electronic format.
The request was made in line with their professional responsibilities as a media organization which includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. They believe they are eligible for a fee waiver as a media professional.
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. Interestingly, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
This FOIA request by SW Illinois News is part of their ongoing efforts to provide transparent reporting on local government operations and expenditure. By examining these emails and memos, they hope to gain insights into how educational decisions are being made within the district.
Alerts Sign-up