The Peru Gazette

Audit Finds Many NY School Districts Lack Sufficient Staff for Mental Health Services and Adequate Oversight of Mental Health Education

Too many New York school districts’ mental health teams are understaffed, with too few available services and inconsistent and limited oversight of mental health education for students, an audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found.

“The upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis for many students in New York, but not enough is being done to make sure they are getting the information and support they need,” DiNapoli said. “The State Education Department should work with state and local entities to ensure resources to address the problem are available and prioritize mental health instruction and outreach among school districts so students and staff can recognize warning signs of distress and know how to get help. I’m encouraged that the department responded positively to our recommendations.”

According to the American Psychological Association, over 80% of teens experienced more intense school-related stress due to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2020, mental health emergency room visits rose 24% among 5- to 11-year-olds and 31% among 12- to 17-year-olds. In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning of an urgent mental health crisis among America’s youth.

Prior to the pandemic, the State Education Department (SED) published guidance and resources for mental health education on its website and, during the pandemic, gave school districts further instruction about the importance of checking on students’ mental health and promoting the availability of resources for those in distress.

But as DiNapoli’s audit shows, most of the state’s 686 districts outside of New York City entered the pandemic with mental health teams that were far short of nationally recommended staff-to-student ratios: Read more »

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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the availability of employment opportunities for the summer recreational season. Individuals looking for seasonal summer employment who enjoy the outdoors are encouraged to learn more about opportunities to work at DEC facilities.

DEC operates 52 public campgrounds and five-day use areas throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. DEC hires more than 500 seasonal employees to provide a variety of services throughout the summer season. All levels of experience and skillsets are needed, ranging from supervisors, lifeguards, security, maintenance, cleaning staff, and booth workers. Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.

Individuals at least 16 years old interested in summer lifeguarding positions at DEC facilities must complete the waterfront lifeguard course to be considered for employment and a no-cost waterfront lifeguard course will be offered April 19 – 22, in Gloversville, Fulton County. The free lifeguard course includes certification in required lifeguarding and waterfront skills, CPR/AED for professional rescuers, and first aid.

All applicants for seasonal summer employment must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Those interested in summer employment with DEC or looking for more information should visit DEC’s website, call (518) 457-2500 Ext. #1, or email campinfo@dec.ny.gov.

“The passing of the state budget is welcome news. While jobs are rebounding in many industries, our economic recovery lags the nation, and risks have expanded as the budget process has unfolded, with growing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and persistently high inflation. In addition, New Yorkers continue to grapple with the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic.

“I am pleased to see the budget will provide tax relief and support to help middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses, boost wages for health care workers, make green investments and extend relief programs to assist those affected by the pandemic.

“While it’s good news the budget maintains a commitment to building up reserves, many new programs will add recurring spending, and it is yet unclear to what extent they are supported by recurring revenues. Using temporary federal relief aid to fund new spending programs could create a “fiscal cliff” in the future. We must remember this influx of federal funding is finite. Bolstering state savings through the formal rainy day fund reserves is essential for sustaining services that New Yorkers rely on and improving the state’s long-term fiscal standing.

“My office will analyze the final enacted budget and release a detailed analysis in the coming weeks.”

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Track state and local government spending at Open Book New York. Under State Comptroller DiNapoli’s open data initiative, search millions of state and local government financial records, track state contracts, and find commonly requested data.

Click here to view the U.S. Census site 

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Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today hailed the elimination of the fiber-optic tax on state highways in the 2022-23 state budget. Since 2019, New York State has charged this one-of-a-kind tax; similar utilities like coaxial cable providers are not assessed this surcharge. Repealing this tax should greatly improve broadband installation, access and availability in rural areas.

“I’ve made the elimination of the fiber-optic tax a priority and I’m pleased these efforts paid off in this year’s state budget,” said Stec. “This is a major victory for rural communities and other areas lacking access to high-speed broadband and should make a huge impact on providing these vital services.”

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1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION: To Accept Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO; and Banking Reports).

5. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of March 28, 2022.

6. Community Input.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Possible Award of Telegraph Rd. Culvert Project.

8. MOTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Rifenburg’s Payment App #12.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Possible Award of Elm St. Sewer Project. 

10. DISCUSSION: Sewer Project Update. 

11. DISCUSSION: Other Business. 

12. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only. 

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills. 

14. MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session. (If needed) 

15. MOTION: Return from Executive Session. (If needed) 

MOTION:     Adjourn

 Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today criticized the changes to bail reform in the 2022-23 New York State Budget as weak and insubstantial. When paired with allowing prison inmates to apply for the state’s college Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the much-discussed public safety reforms enacted by Democrats still prioritize criminals and convicts over the safety of law-abiding residents and their families.

“Despite New Yorkers making their voices heard on public safety and the need to replace bail reform, Democrats still refuse to listen,” he added. “Instead of a full repeal and working with DAs, law enforcement and courts on common sense policies, they’ve presented a series of changes that add only two offenses to the list of bail-eligible offenses, made minor changes to repeat offenders and still fail to allow judges to consider dangerousness when considering bail.

“If this wasn’t enough, Democrats have also voted to give inmates access to TAP funding,” he added. “This is absolutely shameful. At a time when we face public safety and affordability crises, Democrats are rewarding inmates with taxpayer-funded college tuition and allowing dangerous, repeat offenders back into their communities. It’s a travesty and our law-abiding residents and taxpayers deserve so much better.”

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Calmus, the award-winning a cappella vocal quintet from Germany performs on the Hill and Hollow Music series Sunday, April 24 at 3:00 pm at the Church of the Assumption in Redford, New York. The seamless blend of these five singers lends itself particularly to music of the renaissance and baroque periods, while the charming historic stone church, located at 78 Clinton Street in Redford, New York, provides ideal resonant acoustics for the a capella vocal ensemble.

The program “Faith and Madness” presents music of great contrasts, from the purity of sacred church music in motets and psalms of Palestrina (1525-1594), Schütz (1585-1672), J. C. Bach (1642-1703), J. S. Bach (1685-1750), and Altnikol (1719-1759) to the extreme moods of humanity in colorful secular madrigals of Fletcha (1481-1553), Janequin (1585-1558), Gesualdo (1566-1613), and Monteverdi (1567-1643).

Admission is a suggested donation at the door: $15 general, $12 seniors, $5 students, children under 12 attend free. Current public health guidelines will be followed. Further info: telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail ambrown.hillholl@gmail.com or visit www.hillandhollowmusic.org. 

A perfect balance of sound, precision, lightness, and wit are the hallmarks of Calmus, one of the most highly regarded vocal groups in Germany. The ensemble has forged a refined sound that characterizes the legendary choral tradition of their hometown of Leipzig, the city so closely associated with the music of the Bach dynasty.  Whether singing music of those German masters or other works in their diverse repertoire, Calmus captivates audiences with charming stage presence, flawless technique, and entertaining programs.

Actively performing since 1999, with over two dozen recordings to their credit, Calmus has won a string of international prizes and competitions, including the OPUS KLASSIK, the ECHO KLASSIK and Supersonic Award. Their worldwide schedule has taken Calmus across Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Ireland, Spain and Portugal, as well as Central and South America.  In the United States Calmus has performed at major series and halls including Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Lincoln Center’s Great Performers Series, the Ravinia Festival, and Washington Performing Arts. Festival appearances include International A Cappella Week in Hannover and the Schleswig-Holstein Festival.