Southern Illinois News

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to Vienna High School District 133 by Southern Illinois News. The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study".

The FOIA request was made in an effort to gather comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As members of the media at Southern Illinois News, we are committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Access to these public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities.

We believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals given our role in disseminating information. We await a response from Vienna High School District 133 regarding this matter.

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 being 141:1, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Interestingly, it has been found that 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.

This data highlights the dedication and commitment of educators within our state. It also underscores the importance of transparency within our educational institutions - something we at Southern Illinois News are committed to ensuring through actions such as this recent FOIA request.