DeKalb Times

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Hiawatha Community Unit School District 426. The request, made by us at DeKalb Times, 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 dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe access to these public records is crucial for our work. This includes holding public institutions accountable and offering transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as a media professional.

This request comes in light of recent data about education in Illinois. According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the state average administrative salary was $116,908. The average student-to-administrative ratio stands at 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.

Hiawatha Community Unit School District 426 Principal Mr. Jared Poynter (2023) | Hiawatha Community Unit School District 426

The outcome of this FOIA request could shed light on how these statistics are reflected within the operations of Hiawatha Community Unit School District 426. As always, we remain committed to providing our readers with transparent and accurate reporting on matters affecting our local community.