Kane County Reporter

On January 28, 2025, we at Kane County Reporter sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Geneva Community Unit School District 304. The request sought copies of all emails and memos from the past year that contained specific keywords related to local education matters.

The requested documents were those containing the terms “Lucy Calkins” and “Units of Study”. As a news organization committed to providing comprehensive and accurate coverage of local governmental affairs, we believe access to these records is crucial in our mission to hold public institutions accountable and ensure transparency for the public.

In addition, we appealed for a fee waiver as media professionals involved in gathering and reporting news to the public.

Geneva Community Unit School District 304 Principal Dr. Andrew J. Barrett (2023) | Geneva Community Unit School District 304

This request comes amidst ongoing discussions about educational standards and practices in Illinois. 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, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1. Interestingly, over half (58%) of teachers in Illinois have a master's degree or higher.

As we continue our coverage on local education matters, we remain committed to bringing you accurate information that promotes transparency and accountability within our community's public institutions.