On January 13, 2025, we at South Cook News submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Forest Ridge School District 142. The request was aimed at gathering data on the number of non-U.S. citizens currently enrolled in the school district.
As a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we believe access to such public records is crucial for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and ensuring transparency for the public.
The specific request sought information on how many "migrants" (e.g., illegal aliens/non-U.S. citizens) are currently enrolled in the school district. This data is critical in assessing the impact of immigration trends on local educational institutions and understanding how these schools are accommodating diverse student populations.
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. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
In light of these statistics, it becomes even more important to understand how our schools are serving all students, including those who may not be U.S. citizens but are nonetheless part of our educational community.
We look forward to receiving this information from Forest Ridge School District 142 and will continue our work to ensure transparency and accountability within our local government institutions.
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