On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Joppa-Maple Grove Unit District 38. The request, made by Southern Illinois News, sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords.
The two keywords in question were "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". The request was made as part of Southern Illinois News' ongoing commitment to provide comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
As a media organization, we at Southern Illinois News believe access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.
In related news, according to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio is reported as 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Furthermore, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
We continue to strive for transparency and accountability in our reporting on educational matters. We will update you with any further developments regarding this FOIA request.
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