DeKalb Times

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Dekalb Community Unit School District 428 regarding emails and memos on January 28, 2025. The request, filed by DeKalb Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."

As part of our journalistic duties at DeKalb Times, we are committed to holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Access to these records is crucial in fulfilling these responsibilities. We believe that as a media organization disseminating information to the public, we are eligible for a fee waiver.

The requested documents will provide insights into the district's communications concerning Lucy Calkins' Units of Study. This is an important matter as it pertains directly to educational content being delivered in our schools.

DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 Principal Dr. Minerva Garcia-Sanchez (2023) | DeKalb Community Unit School District 428

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.

We at DeKalb Times will continue our pursuit of transparency and accountability in our local government institutions. We believe that access to this kind of information not only serves us as journalists but also serves you – our readers – by keeping you informed about what's happening within your local school district.