A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to the Morris School District 54 in Illinois on January 28, 2025. The request was made by Grundy Reporter, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.
The FOIA request specifically asked for copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These terms may refer to educational materials or programs used within the school district.
As journalists at Grundy Reporter, we believe access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. This includes holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals.
In related news, 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, and the average student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1. Notably, 58% of teachers in Illinois hold a master's degree or higher.
We will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as more information becomes available.