The Peru Gazette

Regular Mtg Agenda 01272014

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

Congressman will Continue Fight Against Further CBP Staff Reductions at the Border 

PLATTSBURGH, NY—Representative Bill Owens announced today that he has won a concession from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that will keep an additional helicopter and pilot at the Plattsburgh Air Branch. Owens has been fighting CBP’s plan to reduce staffing along the northern border.

CBP Assistant Commissioner and Major General Randolph D. Alles informed Owens that the agency would add an American Eurocopter AS-350 A-Star and a pilot to the Air Branch. However, even with the addition, the total staff level at the air branch is expected to decline in future years. This news comes despite the inclusion of funds for an additional 2,000 CBP officers that were included in the omnibus appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014, which Owens supported.

“I am encouraged by the news that CBP will keep this aircraft and pilot at the Air Branch,” Rep. Bill Owens said. “I will use every tool at my disposal as a Member of Congress to ensure future government cuts don’t jeopardize national security or impede people and goods crossing the northern border to spend money in our economy and create jobs.”

Owens has been leading a fight to keep the northern border’s security posture strong by maintaining current staffing levels. Read more »

Miner Institute gets grant to study drainage » Local News » Press-Republican.

Apartment building in Port Kent burns » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

By Adele Douglas

At the Regular Board of Education meeting last week the big news was the projected balanced budget for 2014.  In his report on the budget School Business Administrator Randy Sapp was “cautiously optimistic” about the future and the ability of the District to handle the budget gaps in the coming years. He  was also encouraged that the State Government seems to want to increase funding to Education.  According to Sapp, after a balanced budget in 2014, expenses will exceed revenue for each of the coming three years but at a manageable level, and could be off-set by the use of the Fund Balance.

The model for future budgets assumes that State Aid will increase by 4% per year and that there will be a 1.6% tax cap for next year, rising to 2% after that.  Expenses are expected to increase by 4% per year.  This is based on stable staffing levels, an increase of 6% for benefits and 4% for all other expenses.

Actions by the Board included their approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the District and the CSEA, effective July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2016.  Board Chair Donna LaRocque thanked those involved.

The Board adopted the Policy Public Use of School Facilities, which would require that any revenue generated by outside groups using the school facilities be used for charitable purposes only.  The Board asked the Superintendent to work out a fee schedule and that offering Continuing Ed/Adult Ed classes be explored.

Under New Business the Board discussed NYS Assembly Bill #565 which would provide school tax exemptions to veterans. LaRocque explained that if adopted by the Board this would be a loss of revenue of over $400,000 to Peru CSD.

During the second comment period three parents spoke against aspects of the newly adopted Nutrition, Physical Activity and Wellness Policy.  The common theme was that parents should be allowed to make decisions on what foods to send into school to share (current policy limits this to packaged foods clearly labeled or single ingredient foods from home) and that they should have been involved in the development of the policy and would like to have input now.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens  

WASHINGTON—Today, Representative Bill Owens announced he’s hosting a Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Competition for high school students from New York’s 21^st Congressional District.

“Students who can master the STEM subjects will earn great jobs and lead the nation’s next period of economic growth,” Representative Bill Owens said. “I encourage young people to participate in this competition and gain exposure to the STEM fields.”  Read more »

Gouged at Ground Zero  – NY Daily News.

How will Cuomo’s budget change state aid to your district? – Schools.

Peru man one of only 249 to receive Legion of Honor ribbon – Denpubs.com.

A Statement from Superintendent of Schools Patrick Brimstein 

Like many school districts across New York State and the nation, Peru Central School District has experienced considerable changes to how our schools are expected to operate, challenges to how they are funded, and other regulatory stresses.  After much reflection and discussion, the Board of Education and I have come to realize that we need to create a long-term plan, rooted in the values of our community, to guide the district through these turbulent years.

We believe that the strongest plans are forged from the beliefs and viewpoints of all community members.  Please help us to strengthen Peru CSD.  Your input will help define community priorities, influence the direction that our school district takes, and provide the best quality education for all of the children and young adults in a manner that can be sustained.  Together, we will help create the best public school system in the North Country.

To start this process, we will be holding two community sessions.  Your participation at either one of these times will help to gather widely representative ideas from across our community.  We intend to include parents, district employees, students, business leaders, and representatives of local government.  Both sessions will be held in the Jr/Sr High Community Room at the following times:

Thursday, February 6, 2014 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 9:30 – 11:00 am

The thoughts and ideas that we receive from these meetings will be used to form a planning team and guide the development of a Strategic Plan for our school district.  This team will have representation from stakeholder groups from across the community, and the plan will focus our efforts and resources on common goals shared by all.

Take this opportunity to have a voice in the future successes of Peru CSD.  Please contact the district office at (518) 643-6004 or email us at vision@perucsd.org to reserve a seat at one of these important sessions.  Sessions are limited to 30 people each so reserve a seat today.  We look forward to seeing you there.

New York State Bar Association President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) wrote to Governor Andrew Cuomo on January 22, 2014 about the critical need to enhance civics education in New York’s schools. Text of the letter is below. A pdf is available at www.nysba.org/civicseducationletter.

Dear Governor Cuomo:

Recently, many members of the Legislature wrote to you to express urgent concerns about the state of primary and secondary education in New York, noting that “the quality of the curriculum has diminished.”

One of the major shortcomings of today’s curriculum is the failure to provide meaningful civics education to our state’s students. Comprehensive civics education in all grades is critical if we are to have a citizenry that understands the role and functioning of our government. Moreover, without a solid understanding of government, our children will be unable to become effective and responsible citizens or full partners in our democracy.

A recent report by the New York State Bar Association Committee on Law, Youth and Citizenship found that civics education is essential to perpetuating an active, informed and engaged citizenry, and advancement of civics education is an Association priority in 2014. Our governmental institutions, including our legal institutions and justice system, depend upon the effectiveness of today’s educational institutions to develop Americans who are educated and committed to the maintenance of the rule of law. We need future citizens who understand the institutions of constitutional democracy, including our system of law and justice. No institution in American society other than our schools can accomplish this civic mission, and the need is even greater today as we welcome new Americans to our land during an era of historic immigration levels.

I urge you to consider the critical need for civics education as you and the Legislature develop the state’s 2014-2015 budget.

Warm regards,

David M. Schraver

The 75,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. In was founded in 1876.

How the North Country fares in the NYS budget « The In Box.

Chazy, NY; Canton, NY – The impact of climate change on Northern New York agriculture is on the agenda of the 2014 North Country Crop Congresses: Tuesday, February 18 at W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY, and Wednesday, February 19, 9am-3pm, at the Best Western University Inn in Canton, NY.

Dr. Allison Chatrchyan, the new director of the Cornell Institute for Climate Change and Agriculture, will present thoughts on the impact of climate change and variable weather will have on Northern New York farming systems in the near and distant future.

Dr. Chatrchyan will present historical climate data and suggest how NNY farmers may integrate climate change into farm system planning for reduction of risk, and seize the production opportunities the changing climate may present.

The annual 9am-3pm Crop Congress educational programs also include Dr. Russ Hahn of Cornell University.  Dr. Hahn, a Crop and Soil Sciences professor, will provide his latest research findings on herbicide-resistant weeds, mixed grass-legume seedings using Round-Up Ready alfalfa and some timely aspects of acetochlor herbicide.

Dr. Quirine Ketterings, director of the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program, will share the latest results of double crop forage research trials on farms across New York State.

Mike Hunter, a Northern New York Field Crops specialist with CCE in Jefferson and Lewis counties, will discuss late-season forage planting alternatives.

Anita Figueras, a Farm Business Management specialist with CCE St. Lawrence County, will present the latest crop insurance options. Read more »

The St. Augustine’s Soup Kitchen will not be serving today, Wednesday January 22, 2014. People are urged to stay inside and keep warm!

Study: Nearly half of black men, 40 percent of white men arrested by age 23 – Times Union.

Breaking down Cuomo’s budget plan – Times Union.

Executive Director – NCCCA. FT job | ART JOBS New York.

L-R Elise LePage (11), Alax LaFountain (13), Justin Bedard (9), AuSable Forks Grand Knight Mark Holt, Stephen Hudson (10), District Deputy Allen Dixon, Johann Hudson (12), Free Throw Chairman D. Peter Light, Hannah Greenley (14)

AuSable Forks – Four AuSable Forks and two Morrisonville youths were the top shooters in the Knights of Columbus District 95 Free Throw Contest held on Saturday, January 18^th at Holy Name School in AuSable Forks. AuSable Forks Council 2301, Morrisonville Council 6067 and Peru Council 7273 sponsored the contest.  All the winners have been invited to compete in the Regional K of C Free Throw Competition scheduled for March 8^th in Massena.

Since 1972, councils have sponsored the Knights of Columbus International Free Throw Championship for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 14. The championship is set up to have the contestants compete within their own gender and age group. All competition starts at the local level. Winners move on to the district, regional, and state or provincial levels. From there, some make it to the international level for championship competition in their group.

Fred LeBrun: This way out, Cuomo says – Times Union.

Most New Yorkers support Cuomo medical marijuana pilot plan -poll | Reuters.

Cuomo rips into far-right Republican candidates – Times Union.

Pay gets $21M boost at SUNY – Times Union.

Navigating a medical records maze – Times Union.

Cuomo’s school bond would stall environmental measure | Capital New York.