Kankakee Times

A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was submitted to the Manteno Community Unit School District 5 on January 28, 2025. The request was made by us at Kankakee Times, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

We are seeking copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contain the keywords "Lucy Calkins" and "Units of Study". These records are requested under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140, preferably in an electronic format.

As a media organization, we play a crucial role in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities. These include holding public institutions accountable and providing transparency to the public. Given our role in disseminating information, we believe we are eligible for a fee waiver as media professionals.

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.

This data provides context for our FOIA request as it reflects upon educational standards and practices within Illinois schools. We remain committed to ensuring transparency within our local government bodies for the benefit of our readership.