On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Harvey School District 152. The request, issued by South Cook News, sought access to emails and memos from the past year containing specific keywords.
The requested records were those containing the terms "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". As a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at South Cook News believe these documents will provide valuable insights into the district's operations and educational strategies.
The FOIA request also included a plea for a fee waiver based on our role as a media organization disseminating information to the public. Access to public records is crucial for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency.
According to the Illinois Report Card, the average state teacher salary in 2023 was $73,916, while the average administrative salary stood at $116,908. The student-to-administrative ratio averaged at 141:1 and the student-to-teacher ratio at 17:1. Furthermore, it was reported that 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
As we continue our work in reporting news to the public and ensuring transparency in public institutions like Harvey School District 152, we await their response to our FOIA request.
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