On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Brookwood School District 167 by South Cook News. The media organization requested copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study."
South Cook News is committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs. As part of their journalistic duties, they have sought access to these public records in order to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency to the public.
The requested documents are expected to shed light on internal communications within the school district regarding Lucy Calkins and Units of Study. Lucy Calkins is a renowned educator known for her work in developing a workshop approach to literacy instruction known as Units of Study.
South Cook News has also asked for a fee waiver as a media professional involved in gathering and reporting news 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. 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.
We at South Cook News believe that access to such information is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. We will continue our efforts towards ensuring transparency and accountability in our local institutions.
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