On January 28, 2025, Southern Illinois News sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to Vienna School District 55. The request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
The request was made under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, with a preference for electronic format delivery. As a media organization dedicated to comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, Southern Illinois News is committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public.
The FOIA request was also accompanied by an appeal for a fee waiver due to the media organization's role in disseminating information to the public.
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, it's noted that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
Southern Illinois News believes access to these records will shed light on how these factors influence educational decisions within Vienna School District 55. This move is part of our broader commitment at Southern Illinois News to provide our readers with detailed insights into how their local government operates.
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