On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Summersville School District 79 by North Egypt News. The media organization is seeking access to internal communications, specifically emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
North Egypt News is a media outlet dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of its mission to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public, it frequently requests access to public records.
The requested documents are expected to shed light on how these terms are being used within the school district's communications. The term "Lucy Calkins" likely refers to the renowned educator and author known for her work in developing Units of Study for teaching reading and writing skills in elementary schools.
In their request, North Egypt News highlighted their role in disseminating information as a reason for eligibility for a fee waiver under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
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.
As we continue our investigative reporting on educational issues in Illinois, we at North Egypt News believe that access to such information is crucial. It allows us not only to inform our readers accurately but also hold accountable those responsible for shaping our education system.
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