Dupage Policy Journal

On January 28, 2025, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was sent to Maercker School District 60. The request was made by DuPage Policy Journal, a media organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs.

The FOIA request specifically sought copies of all emails and memos from the past 12 months that contain the keywords “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a media organization, we are involved in gathering and reporting news to the public. Access to public records is essential for us to fulfill our professional responsibilities, which 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.

In relation to this, it's important to note some key statistics about education in Illinois. 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. Additionally, 58% of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

These figures provide valuable context as we continue our investigation into educational practices within Maercker School District 60. We will keep you updated with any developments regarding this FOIA request.