The Peru Gazette

The Peru Volunteer Fire Department is having a car wash on the following dates-2/24/18, 3/3/18, 3/10/18, 3/17/18, 3/24/18, 3/24/18 and 3/31/18-Weather Permitting. A $5.00 donation helps support your local Fire Department and gets that vehicle clean. Our hours are 8 am till Noon . We do appreciate your support.

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, February 12, 2018 @ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of January 29, 2018;

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)

Community Input

DISCUSSION: Main St. Improvement Project

RESOLUTION/ DISCUSSION: Resolution for Acceptance of the Court Internal Audit

DISCUSSION/ RESOLUTION: Resolution to Purchase and Install Disaster Recovery/Court Server

DISCUSSION: Sewer Upgrade Workshop Schedule

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
MOTION: Adjourn

Revised Agenda Received 

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting and budget workshop #1 on Tuesday, February 13^th at 6:30 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:30 PM start, and that the school board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Proposed Capital Project
• Public Hearing on Smart Schools Investment Plan
• Donation Acceptance
• Appointment of Personnel
• The full Board agenda will be available on the District’s website.

All are welcome.

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Governor proposes cuts to private college financial aid

Source: Crews search for missing skier at Whiteface

Source: Fire ravages Schuyler Falls business | News | pressrepublican.com

State Meets Federal Graduation Rate Goal, But Gaps in Achievement Persist

Feb. 7, 2018 – The New York State Education Department released high school graduation rates for the 2013 cohort, students who entered 9th grade in 2013. The overall graduation rate increased to 80.2 percent, up 0.5 percentage points from 79.7* percent for the 2012 cohort. The 2013 cohort graduation rate is more than 11 percentage points higher than it was a decade earlier, when the 2003 cohort graduation rate was 68.6 percent. Click here for Peru Central School Data. 

June Graduation Rates
2012 Cohort 2013 Cohort % Point Change

79.7 80.2 +0.5

2003 Cohort 2012 Cohort % Point Change

68.6 80.2 +11.6

When August graduates are included, the 2013 cohort graduation rate increased to 82.1 percent, which exceeds the goal established for federal accountability in 2010 to have 80 percent of students graduate by August of their fourth year in high school. The state’s graduation rate is on track to meet its first Every Student Succeeds Act plan long-term goal for graduation rate of 83.9 percent in 2021-22. Despite this, significant achievement gaps exist.

2013 Cohort Graduation Rates
June August % Point Change

80.2 82.1 +1.9

This year’s graduation rate improved for black and Hispanic students, for students with disabilities, and in four of the state’s Big 5 city school districts. While the graduation rate declined slightly for current English language learners (ELLs), it improved again for Ever ELLs.

“The Regents and I are focused on providing greater equity for students throughout the entire education system,” Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said. “When we achieve greater equity, we will see student achievement improve across the board – and that will result in greater numbers of students graduating, regardless of their race, ethnicity, wealth, disability status, or any other basis. The Board of Regents will continue its efforts to foster educational equity for all New York schools and children.”

State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said, “New York’s graduation rate continues its steady, upward trend. We see incremental improvements across the State, holding onto last year’s gains and slowly building upon them. And that’s good news. At the same time, however, troubling gaps in achievement persist, and we must accelerate the pace of improvement. With its focus on equity, the State’s newly approved ESSA plan will help drive the changes we need to ensure all children have the same opportunities for success.”

2013 Cohort Graduation Rate Data for the Big 5 City School Districts

Graduation rates reported by four of the Big 5 City School Districts surpassed the statewide growth of 0.5 percentage points. Rochester and Yonkers experienced significant improvements; for the first time, the graduation rate in a Big 5 city school district, Yonkers, exceeded the statewide rate.

Big 5 City School District Cohort Graduation Rates
2012 2013 % Pointe Change
Statewide 79.7 80.2 +0.5

NYC 70.0 71.1 +1.1

Buffalo 61.7 62.7 +1.0

Rochester 47.7 51.9 +4.2

Syracuse 61.0 60.5 -0.5

Yonkers 78.3 82.8 +4.5

2013 Cohort Graduation Rate Data by Need/Resource Group

Graduation rates in all Need/Resource Groups improved slightly or remained flat, except high-need Urban-Suburban districts, which fell slightly. Average- and low-need districts continue to have the highest graduation rates. High Need, Large City schools experienced growth larger than the statewide average at 2.3 percentage points, however, they continue to have the lowest graduation rates. A significant gap persists between the graduation rates of high- and low-need districts. For the 2013 cohort, 94.8 percent of students in low-need districts graduated in four years, while only 63.9 percent of students in high-need Large City districts (i.e., Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers combined) did so.

The charter school graduation rate continued to improve, from 72.4 percent for the 2012 cohort to 74.8 percent for the 2013 cohort. While still a small portion of the overall 2013 cohort (2.3%), there has been a considerable increase in the number of charter school students in the cohort. The pace of growth in graduation rate at charters has slowed since last year, while the number of students enrolled at charters continues to increase.

Cohort Graduation Rate Data by Race/ Ethnicity

A large achievement gap – approximately 20 percentage points – persists when comparing the graduation rate of black and Hispanic students with their white peers, though that gap has narrowed slightly over the past two years. The Regents and Department will continue their efforts to close this gap through the implementation of the State’s ESSA plan and the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, aimed at bringing greater fairness throughout the education system.

Cohort Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
2012 2013 % Point Change
Black 68.2 69.3 +1.6

Hispanic 68.0 68.4 +0.8

White 88.7 89.0 +0.7

Difference in Graduation Rates by Race
2011 2012 2013 %Point Change
Black/White 23.5 20.5 19.7 -3.8

Hispanic/White 23.5 20.7 20.6 -2.9

Cohort Graduation Rate Data for English Language Learners

The graduation rate for “Ever ELLs” (students identified as English language learners in any school year preceding the school year of their last enrollment – but excluding students who are “Current ELLs”) continue to show strong progress, improving from a graduation rate of 82.1 percent for the 2012 cohort to 84.4 percent for the 2013 cohort – significantly outpacing the statewide average of 80.2 percent.

The graduation rate for “Current ELLs” (students who were identified as ELLs during the school year of their last enrollment), however, continues to lag far behind the statewide rate, with only 26.6 percent of the 2013 cohort graduating on time – down slightly from the 2012 cohort rate of 26.9 percent.

Cohort Graduation Rates for English Language Learners
2012 2013 % Point Change
Ever ELLs 82.1 84.4 +2.3

Current ELLs 26.9 26.6 -0.3

2013 Cohort Graduation Rate Data for Students with Disabilities and by Gender

The graduation rate for students with disabilities improved again this year, moving from 52.8 percent for the 2012 cohort to 54.2 percent for the 2013 cohort. Female students continued to graduate at a higher rate than their male peers, with 2013 cohort graduation rates at 84.1 percent for females and 76.5 percent for males – both representing small gains over last year’s rates.

2013 Cohort Dropout Rate Data

The percentage of students who dropped out of school remained relatively flat this year, declining from 6.5 percent for the 2012 cohort to 6.2 percent for the 2013 cohort. Despite this small overall improvement, the percentage of Current ELL students statewide who dropped out increased by 1.7 percentage points, from 28 percent for the 2012 cohort to 29.7 percent for the 2013 cohort. The dropout rate for students with disabilities improved slightly this year, decreasing from 12.3 percent for the 2012 cohort to 11.6 percent for the 2013 cohort.

Cohort Dropout Rates
2012 2013 %Point Change

Statewide 6.5 6.2 -0.3

Current ELLs 28.0 29.7 +1.7

Students with Disabilities 12.3 11.6 -0.7

Four, Five and Six-Year Graduation Rate Data

As in previous years, the data show that persistence pays off. For the 2011 statewide cohort, the four-year graduation rate was 78.1 percent; students continuing to a fifth year improved the rate to 83.5 percent; and a sixth year improved the rate even further, to 84.9 percent. The 2012 cohort five-year graduation rate increased by nearly 5 percentage points to 84.5 percent, up from the four-year graduation rate of 79.7 percent.

Current ELL students demonstrated significant increases in graduation rates given additional time and continued services. For the 2011 cohort, the four-year Current ELL graduation rate was 33.8 percent; the five-year rate rose to 44.9 percent; and the six-year rate reached 48.3 percent. That is an increase of more than 14 percentage points and represents 1,100 more students willing to put in the extra time to earn a diploma. For the 2012 cohort, the four-year Current ELL graduation rate was 26.9 percent and the five-year rate rose significantly to 36.8 percent.

Cohort 4, 5 & 6-Year Graduation Rates
4-Year 5-Year 6-Year % Point Change

2012 Statewide 79.7 84.5 +4.8

2012 Current ELL 26.9 36.8 +9.9

2011 Statewide 78.1 83.5 84.9 +6.8

2011 Current ELL 33.8 44.9 48.3 +14.5

Multiple Pathways to Graduation

The Board of Regents is committed to providing multiple pathways for students to earn a regular high school diploma, and the Board has approved regulations to establish multiple, comparably rigorous assessment pathways to graduation for all students. By offering these multiple pathways, the Board recognizes the importance of engaging students in rigorous and relevant academic programs. Specifically, Regents-approved regulations recognize students’ interests in the Arts; Languages Other Than English; Career and Technical Education; Humanities; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by allowing an approved pathway assessment to meet the students’ graduation requirements; more information about these Multiple Pathways is available on the Department’s website.

In addition, at its June 2016 meeting, the Board of Regents permanently approved regulations to establish a new Career Development Occupational Studies (CDOS) graduation pathway for all students. The CDOS Commencement Credential certifies that a student has the standards-based knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level employment. Previously, only students with disabilities could exit school with a New York State CDOS Commencement Credential. These regulations expanded to all students the opportunity to earn the CDOS Commencement Credential.

For the 2016-17 school year, the Department implemented a new system to collect and report data on the number of students who earn a diploma through one of the new multiple pathways to graduation. That data, available today for the first time, shows that school districts reported more than 9,900 students earned a diploma through one of the new pathways. These graduates are included within the overall graduation rate numbers announced today.

Safety Net Options for Students with Disabilities

In 2016, the Board of Regents also acted to enable superintendents to make a local determination as to the academic proficiency of certain students with disabilities seeking to graduate with a local diploma and began requiring that a parent or guardian request this option for their child. In 2017, the Board expanded the superintendent determination to allow the CDOS credential as a safety net for students with disabilities who pass their Regents coursework but do not pass the ELA or math Regents exams. (Note: changes to the CDOS safety net regulations were adopted in December 2017 and, therefore, are not reflected in the 2013 cohort graduation rate). In school year 2016-17, 315 students with disabilities received diplomas through a superintendent’s determination.

Data Collection & Verification

The graduation data is reported by educational institutions to SED throughout the school year. The cohort 2013 graduation rate data was available for verification until the close of the state data warehouse in August 2017. District superintendents certified the data in September 2017. For more specific data points and for school- and district-level graduation data, visit the Department’s public data site. A PowerPoint presentation with additional data is also available

*Note: last year we announced a statewide graduation rate of 79.4 percent, but a one-time-only data correction changed that number to the correct rate of 79.7 percent. All references in today’s data release are to the corrected district and statewide rates.

Source: North Country wins more than $100 million to expand high-speed internet access | NCPR News

Source: State Land Tax Cap Could Cost Adirondack Communities – – The Adirondack Almanack

Yes, part of Peru is within the Adirondack Park.

Source: Treading Water: Vermont’s Pols Are Going Nowhere Fast on Clean Lakes | Environment | Seven Days | Vermont’s Independent Voice

Source: Peru eyes downtown improvements – Sun Community News & Printing

Click here to view the Peru Gazette’s video of the Town Board Workshop on the Main Street Project. It gives the project details. 

Source: Peru eyes Sullivan Park upgrades – Sun Community News & Printing

NEWS FROM THE PEOPLE’S FORUM 

Confirmed Participants: Tanya Boone-D, Granville; Don Boyajian-D, Cambridge; Tedra Cobb-D, Canton; Russell Finley-R, Lisbon; Sara Idleman-D, Greenwich; Ronald Kim-D, Queensbury; Emily Martz-D, Saranac Lake; David Mastrianni-D, Schroon Lake; Patrick Nelson-D, Stillwater; Katie Wilson-D, Keene; Invited (but unable to attend): Elise Stefanik-R, Willsboro. 
E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium, Hawkins Hall, SUNY Plattsburgh
Saturday, February 17, 2018, 3:00-5:00pm. 

The People’s Forum is a non-partisan congressional candidate forum (open to the public, no charge) organized by Plattsburgh-based community group Change Through Action in collaboration with SUNY Plattsburgh’s Institute for Ethics in Public Life and the Center for Community Engagement. The event will be co-moderated by Julia Devine (Center for Community Engagement) and Dr. Jonathan Slater (Institute for Ethics in Public Life).

The mission of The People’s Forum is to provide a truly engaging, educational, and authentic town hall-style dialogue between the people of the district and the district’s 2018 congressional candidates. All questions will come directly from audience members with questions being chosen via lottery and not pre-screened or pre-selected in any way. Similarly, a candidate will be selected to answer each question by random draw, though still in such a way as to ensure all candidates in attendance are given equal speaking time. All candidates will be given Wild Cards that may be used claim additional speaking time during the forum by either a) adding time to the direct response to an audience member’s question, or b) as an opportunity to “jump in” on a question asked of another candidate with additional information or rebuttal. A straw poll will be conducted and results shared as to which candidate audience members feel would best represent New York’s 21st congressional district in 2018.

Source: Plattsburgh named as possible destination for paroled murderer | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Do we need similar measures near Lake Champlain?

Source: Lake George Plan: Halve Road Salt Use By 2020 – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: North Country at Work: why ski patroller Rick Wood watches and respects Whiteface | NCPR News

From the Office of NYS Senator Betty Little

The State Senate today approved legislation (S.2947) that would continue a cooperative purchasing law, which enables local governments to utilize existing contracts of federal, state and local government agencies for the purchase of goods and services.

Little sponsored the original legislation in 2012.  She said the law’s sunset date should be eliminated to help local governments better plan for future purchases with the opportunity to save local tax dollars.

Cooperative purchasing, also known as ‘piggy-backing’, is a procurement method in which a contract previously awarded to a government agency may be utilized by other government agencies on the same terms and conditions.

“This law has worked since its inception and, over time, as more local governments participate, it will work even better,” said Little.  “The current sunset is 2019.  Acting this year, rather than pushing up against the sunset date, makes sense for our local governments who otherwise will be left guessing whether or not the law will be renewed.”

The New York State School Boards Association, New York Conference of Mayors and New York State Association of Counties support the legislation.

A companion bill is sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie Jenne.

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Albina St. Germain who is celebrating her 107th birthday today. This photo was taken yesterday at St. Augustine’s Church where she attends Mass every Sunday. After Mass Mrs. St. Germain and family attended the pancake breakfast at St. Joseph’s Church Hall in Treadwells Mills where she walked from table to table speaking with family and friends.

Please Share!

L-R Fran Williford, Suzanne Charette, Sally Kokes, Carol Dumont, Jimmy Dumont, Paul Dirolf, Jim Fezette, Rocky Giroux, Kathy Bracero, Olivia Nachbauer, Paul Green, Sharalyn Nachbauer, George Fountain, Alice Fountain

Peru – North Country Mission of Hope volunteers are #32 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live. Wednesday mornings these very friendly and welcoming folks along with other volunteers pack medical, clothing and school supplies for shipment to Nicaragua. They definitely have fun while they work.

Volunteers work every Wednesday and on the first Saturday of each month between 9 AM to Noon at the Mission of Hope’s new Route 22 location. Call 518-643-5572 for information or just stop by at 3452 Route 22.

Click here to view our recent story on the North Country Mission of Hope. 

Nick Lawliss of Peru, N.Y., a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, was named a Presidential Scholar for the spring 2017 semester at Clarkson University.

SUNY Canton congratulates Jamie Vogt of Peru, NY for earning highest honors during the fall 2017 semester. Last is a SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major. President’s List recognizes full-time students who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or greater.

By John T. Ryan (Updated February 2, 2018 at 8:42 p.m.)

It appears the Peru Town Board will consist of four members, not the normal five during 2018. At the Board’s January 29 meeting Supervisor Brandy McDonald (a Democrat) moved to appoint former Councilman Donald McBrayer (a Republican) to fill the open board position until December 31, 2018. The position will appear on the November 2018 election ballot with the winner to take office on January 1, 2019. The position opened when Peru voters elected Councilman Brandy McDonald to be Town Supervisor last November.

Councilman Jim Douglass (a Democrat) seconded McDonald’s motion. When the vote was taken, Councilman Melvin Irwin (a Republican) and Councilman Jim Langley (a Republican) voted no, meaning McBrayer (a Republican) was not appointed to the position.

Irwin explained his vote saying, “At the last meeting I said a four-person board forced to get along is not a bad idea. I’m sticking to that.” Irwin added that he had spoken to the Association of Towns. They said that a replacement is usually named, but there’s no reason a four-person board wouldn’t work.

Councilman Jim Langley said, “I think I made it quite clear two weeks ago. I’m going to vote no.” Langley later told the Peru Gazette that he favors considering other past board members. He named Sue Polhemus, Roger Bonner, Kregg Bruno, Cortland Forrence and others as possible appointees.

Prior to the vote Donald McBrayer addressed the Board and the larger than usual group of residents in attendance. He said he did not run for reelection because he will ultimately be moving to Phoenix, Arizona where his wife Kara has found relief from her severe asthma. He explained that with the exception of a three week vacation in Phoenix he will be in Peru throughout 2018 and that he has the time to continue serving the town. He mentioned three primary reasons he would like to continue. The Main Street Project is ready for Phase #1. McBrayer has been the Board’s liaison for the project and he would like to see the plans implemented. He has also been very involved in the ongoing technology upgrades including online bill payment. He would like to assist with those upgrades. He also believes that the Board would function better with five members. McBrayer said, “With four members there’s the potential for a project to hang and ultimately a hung project is a failed project.” See discussion at the 3:20 to 14:00 minute mark of our video.

In other meeting actions the Board approved the Youth Commission’s recommendation that new officers be appointed. Board Member Jim Douglass pointed that outgoing Youth Commission Chairman Greg Mills should be thanked for his dedicated service to the town and the youth. He said, “Greg has put in a lot hours in that job.”

The new Youth Commission leaders are: Jennifer Madore – Co-Chair, Beth Lozier – Co-Chair, Carrie Smith – Vice-Chair and Carrie Beattie – Secretary.

At the recommendation of Code Enforcement Officer Robert Guynup the Board will be scheduling a public hearing on a proposal to amend the permit fees for residential and commercial property repairs or alterations. The current fee is $50 no matter what the size of the project is. Guynup mentioned that he recently issued a $50 permit for a $200,000 project where he will have to conduct at least six inspections. The new fees will be based on the dollar value of the project.

Currently the fees are as follows:

Residential/Demolition/Alteration/ Repairs: $50.00
Commercial Demolition/Alteration/ Repairs: $75.00

Guynup proposed the following fees:

REPAIR OR ALTERATION OF SINGLE AND TWO FAMILY STRUCTURES:
UP TO $10,000.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 50.00
$10,001.00 to $25,000.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     100.00
$25,001.00 and over. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    150.00

FEES FOR REPAIRS OR ALTERATIONS OF NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES:
Up to $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00
$10001.00 to $25.000.00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   150.00
$25,001.00 to $50,000.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     200.00
$50,001.00 and over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    300.00

Demolition fees
Residential : $75.00
Commercial : $100.00

Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault informed the Board regarding recent emergency temporary repairs to a pipe at the Valcour sewage pumping station. A replacement pipe will have to be installed very soon. This summer a new pump and control panel will be installed. Tetrault said he budgeted $5,000 for AES to conduct preliminary engineering reseaarch on the long term needs of the Valcour sewage system.

The Board is poised to approve a policy for posting information on town signs. Non-profit organizations will be able to request posting. Priority will be given to organizations located in the Town of Peru. It will be on a first come first serve basis. Requests must be submitted not more than seven days prior to an event and the event will be posted for not more than ten days. Town Attorney Matt Favro will work with Pam Barber to draw up a written format to implement the policy.

Source: Gov. offers buyout for Underwood residents | News | pressrepublican.com