Southern Illinois News

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Anna Jonesboro Community High School District 81 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Southern Illinois News, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request seeks copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As a media organization, we are committed 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. Furthermore, it's worth noting that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

We at Southern Illinois News believe that access to such information is not only crucial for journalistic transparency but also contributes significantly towards maintaining accountability within our educational institutions. We will continue our efforts in bringing light to such matters that directly impact our community.