The Peru Gazette

New York State Police said the woman’s vehicle was hit head-on by a driver who crossed into the oncoming lane.

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Stephanie Boswell-Davies

Sarah Mitchell

Beginning in early March, Peru Central School District sought candidates to fill two (2) vacant, at-large seats on the Board of Education due to the upcoming expiration of the terms of Ms. Sarah Mitchell and Ms. Linda Morgan (appointed to fill the vacant seat previously held by Mr. Thurber).

The individual receiving the most votes will be elected to a term of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028, plus will serve from May 17, 2023 – July 1, 2023, to fill the remainder of the current term of the seat previously held by Mr. Thurber.

The individual receiving the second highest number of votes will be elected to a five-year term of July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2028.

Voting will occur on Tuesday, May 16, from Noon to 9 PM at the Peru High School Community Room.

Two residents responded to the school district’s call to serve – Incumbent Sarah Mitchell and Stephanie Boswell-Davies.  Voters first elected Sarah Mitchell in May 2018. 

The Peru Gazette posed five questions to each candidate.  

What in your background leads you to believe that you would be an effective school board member? 

Stephanie Boswell-Davies – My background that leads me to believe that I will be an influential Peru school board member is my diverse background. I am a Peru alumnus, Class of 1996, and an educator at SUNY Plattsburgh; I have been an RN for 23 years and a Certified Nurse Midwife for the past seven years while teaching at the college level for the past 14 years. I am the Vice President of WoodmenLife Chapter 1016, but I have held the office of President for several years. I am also a Northern Adirondack Nurses Association member and have held several positions, including President and Vice President. Having a background in education and healthcare, I am familiar with the importance of effective communication and proper education. Being an educator and team player at PSU, I know the importance of a commitment to high-quality education and the desire to improve outcomes for all students regardless of their diverse backgrounds or circumstances. It is essential for clear, effective, and persuasive communication with community members, stakeholders, administrators, and faculty to ensure decisions are made to better our school system despite the challenges we face. 

Sarah Mitchell – Throughout almost two decades, I have been involved in many different facets of educational related organizations here in Peru.  I held multiple roles for Peru Nursery School including President, Peru PTO including the role of Treasurer, and for the last five years I have been an elected member of the Peru Central School Board of Education where I am currently the Vice President.  I have attended almost all board meetings, multiple trainings including board officer training and have been involved in successful contract negotiations with three different unions in my tenure.  I am a lifelong resident, tax payer, graduate of Peru School, and the proud parent of a 2022 Peru graduate and a member of the Peru Class of 2024.

How will you engage the community to improve the district?

Stephanie Boswell-Davies – My husband (Shawn) and I have three children (Spencer, 15; Sawyer, 12; and Annabelle, 10) who attend Peru School. Our children are active within the community with sports and extracurricular activities throughout the schools. We are also known within our community for growing up in Peru, working, volunteering with our children’s sports teams, coaching for the Town of Peru, and owning a small family business. Attending these community events helps to build relationships while listening to concerns our community members might have. Transparency and communication are vital; community members should express their concerns or suggestions to the district; this would allow them to voice their opinions and for me to listen and note them. My goal as a school board member would be to create an environment where the community feels heard and valued. Using these strategies, we can work together to improve the district and provide the best education possible for the students.

Sarah Mitchell – The board has been working with multiple avenues to communicate with the whole community to engage them in the happenings in the district.  We utilize our recently revamped website, social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, our digital sign, ParentSquare, SportsYou, podcasts and postal mailings to provide the community with updates.  All of our monthly board meetings are video recorded and posted to allow for the community to view.  We provide media releases to Peru Gazette, The Sun, and Press Republican in addition to our local television outlets. We have many committees that include community members such as Hall of Fame, Strategic Planning and stakeholder groups that  interview for administrative positions.

What is your vision for education in the community? How does it support the economy and quality of life in the community? 

Stephanie Boswell-Davies – As a school board member, my vision for education within our community is to create a high-quality, equitable education that prepares students for success in the future. We must ensure that our community members, leadership, educators, and support staff work together with a shared vision to provide positive outcomes. While providing rigorous academic programs to help prepare students for college and career success, it is also vital to incorporate access to high-quality educational opportunities, creativity, collaboration, and effective communication, which are needed in today’s world. While everyone learns differently, supporting students socially, academically, and emotionally is essential. It is also vital to include students with special needs while creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for them as well. It is essential to engage families within our district and allow them to voice their concerns that they might have within the district. Working together with a shared vision can only have a positive influence and inclusive community within the school system.  

Sarah Mitchell – My vision for education in the community is for the school to be the heart of the community once more as we heal from the pandemic of the last few years.  We need to encourage and support learning inside of and outside of school.  There are so many pathways for learning that don’t solely occur inside the brick and mortar school building but can be supported within it.  We can work with our community leaders, fire departments, charitable groups and businesses to create relevant learning opportunities such as internships and shadowing.  We could work with the town to identify unmet community needs that are appropriate for Peru students to be involved in. This would support the economy and community quality of life by promoting the many people and businesses that make Peru a great community and allowing students to be exposed to potential career paths.

What are your three overall education priorities that, in a perfect world, you would accomplish during your time in office? How will you go about achieving them? 

Stephanie Boswell-Davies – Three educational priorities I would like to accomplish during my time in the office include; providing a positive and safe learning environment while bridging the achievement gaps. It is crucial to work towards implementing evidence-based practices while utilizing personalized learning strategies for the students. Investing in faculty and staff is essential to ensure teacher and support staff growth and retention. Investing in our staff will only ensure our students receive the highest quality of education. Finally, while investing in programs and initiatives that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, and digital literacy, while improving communication between schools and parents/guardians is essential. Building relationships with stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community members, can help achieve these educational priorities. Grant writing is vital to help offset the costs yet advocate for increased funding and resources for our schools. Collaborating with the school board members and district administrators to develop and implement strategic plans and policies that support the school’s priorities. Research to gather data to ensure our decision-making processes are making progress towards the goals that have been set. Utilizing open communication and transparency within our community to build their trust and support is essential. My vision and approach also involve working collaboratively and proactively to achieve our shared education priorities and provide the best possible education for our children.  

Sarah Mitchell – The first priority is to provide students with a safe school experience.  This means a secure, structurally sound building with limited access during school hours but also students’ freedom from ridicule and violence.  Many studies have shown that positive student outcomes are directly correlated to a feeling of “safety”.  Peru School District is actively working on upgrading security in the buildings, and has just completed a district facilities review to guide the next capital improvement project. We also partner with Sweethearts and Heroes who promote positive social interactions.  As a board member I would continue to support these initiatives and evaluate their continued effectiveness, in addition to helping develop a capital improvement plan to address our aging infrastructure. The second priority is to continue to close the learning gap created by COVID.  Our students, like students throughout the nation, experienced a learning loss as a result of the pandemic.  There was a loss in core subjects such as Math and ELA, but also in social and emotional learning.  We are closing the “gap” through targeted programs to address specific areas and behaviors and I would continue to support these programs that have proven success as demonstrated through data points.  The third educational priority is to address staffing shortages.  Rural school districts like ours are facing shortages in all staffing areas.  It is extremely difficult to find instructional and non-instructional staff.  We are competing with other local schools and businesses to hire the best candidates.  Many positions are going unfilled and it’s a challenge many days to provide the staffing that’s needed.  Peru has an amazing group of employees who work together every day to meet the needs of our students by assuming extra duties and sharing work.  I will continue to advocate through NYSSBA and to the NY State Legislature to address the shortages we are facing and explore the possibility of shared instruction with other districts in addition to championing for tax relief for our stakeholders and accountability for every dollar spent on education.

How can the school board be more accountable to the public on student achievement, school performance, and progress over time?

Stephanie Boswell-Davies – Establishing clear goals and objectives, utilizing evidence-based, informed decision-making while being transparent to the community members, and seeking stakeholder input. Communication, clear objectives with goals, transparency, and teamwork are essential while ensuring positive outcomes are all vital to have a thriving school district. Being foster parents, we have had several foster children attend schools in their “home district,” despite us living in the Peru School District. Through parent square messages, I receive many opportunities that other school districts offer their students to ensure success throughout the school year, but Peru does not. For example, currently, a local school district is offering “tutoring opportunities” for AP and Regents exams that will be given in June. Transparency and communication with a detailed schedule were sent out via parent square, so parents are aware and encourage their children to attend these sessions; start studying for these exams now vs. waiting. In August and this past January, the school district offered “boot camps” for students before retaking regents. Offering these tutoring sessions for their students before taking the regents exam offers extra learning to help them successfully pass the regents exams without difficulty. The school district, parents, and the community must work together to help ensure our children are supported and achieve a passing score without struggling. Overall, by establishing clear goals, using data to inform decision-making, holding community meetings, seeking input from stakeholders, and providing transparency, a school board can be more accountable to the public on student achievement, school performance, and progress over time.

Sarah Mitchell – The Board of Education has made great strides on transparency over the last few years. We have a strategic planning committee that involves students, staff, administration, BOE members, and community members that reviews data such as: Math scores, ELA scores, Regents grades, dropout and graduation rates and uses that information to guide the district priorities. The administrative staff also provides periodic updates during our monthly board meetings where these achievement metrics are openly presented and discussed.  Our District and board goals align with community engagement and fiscal responsibility and are discussed and set in public sessions.  We openly invite the community to our meetings and budget workshops.  

Peru Central School District has the best instructional, non-instructional, support and administrative staff that tirelessly works to provide our students with the skills to be successful in the global community.  I have been privileged to be part of the Board of Education for the last five years and am asking for your vote on May 16, 2023 so I can continue supporting the vision of student success that the community has tasked this district with.  I am always open to new ideas and feedback so please feel free to contact me.

A Clarkson University student was found dead Saturday afternoon after swimming in the Raquette River

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Clay Studio

Printmaking Studio

Main Gallery

Classes to meet the demand

Strand Center For The Arts

Plattsburgh’s Strand Center For The Arts hosted an Open House on Saturday, May 6. Visitors met the friendly staff and teachers and checked out the studios. The Peru Gazette took time to make a brief visit. For more information, go to StrandCenter.org  

A Visual Arts Studio artist

Visual Arts Studio Class

Multi-Media Lab

Digital Technologies Lab

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Even if you don’t have the time to see the beautiful Lake Champlain views, visiting Clinton Community College is a great stop. Our county leaders improved the appearance of the George Moore Academic and Administration building. In addition, the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing, the Ronald B. Stafford Science Building, and the William H. Forrence Health and Recreation Center are impressive.

TURN UP YOUR SOUND AND LISTEN TO ITS AWESOME POWER! 

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A spring drive along Route 9 isn’t complete without viewing Lake Champlain, Crab Island, Valcour Island, and the Green Mountains from our beautiful Clinton Community College. May 6, 2023.

Hudson Valley visitors enjoyed their first trip to this area. Lake Placid is their next stop.

Ausable Chasm’s Rainbow Falls

Underground Railroad Museum volunteers Andrea and Cortland Bear, Jim Kloiber and Larry Hobson

Underground Railroad Museum volunteer Maggie McGannon

A Keesevile family enjoyed the morning at Ausable Point

L-R Kayla Sequin, Bill Parker, Brian and Cindy Yourdin had a great time kayaking at Ausable Point

Peru Dock

Valcour Island Lighthouse

Just a few of the trucks parked at the Peru Dock this morning.

May 6th appears to be the true start of a beautiful North Country 2023 spring, especially along Lake Champlain. Your Peru Gazette reporter met visitors from Canada, the Hudson Valley, and Pennsylvania at Ausable Chasm, volunteers sprucing up the nearby Underground Railroad Museum, and people fishing and kayaking at Ausable Point. Earlier in the morning, many people launched boats at the Peru Dock, undoubtedly enjoying our beautiful Lake Champlain.

The Clinton County Historical Association is pleased to announce the following events for May. All events are free and open to the public.

May 16 – 6:45 pm, Amazing Stories of the Women of the Delord House, with Pat Loughan, sharing photos and little-known facts about their lives and legacies. Lake Forest Senior Living Community, 8 Lake Forest, 6:45 pm. Doors open at 6:30

May 20 – 10 am to 1 pm, Tour of the Perry Mills Frog Farm with Robert St. John leading a walking tour with a historical narrative. 145 Perry Mills Rd. Champlain, NY. Register by calling 518-561-0340

May 23 – 2:30 pm, Redford Glass Uncovered with Helen Nerska. Photos and the history of Redford’s famous glassworks. The Orchards, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Ave., Plattsburgh

May 27 – 10:30 am, Walking Tour of the Old Base Oval with the special opportunities to see the inside of an Officer’s quarters and the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel. Begins at 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh.

Voting process for the new mascot to run through June 19

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CMS ruling would mean increased reimbursements to hospitals and address medical staff shortages

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Numbers up by 10 percent over 2021

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Bob Donlan applauds the community center with ‘wide-reaching impacts’

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The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room.  As part of the meeting, the Board will conduct a public hearing on the District’s three (3) propositions slated for voter consideration on May 16, 2023, which include the proposed expenditures plan/budget for 2023-2024, the purchase of buses, and terms of office for board of education members. Individuals running for the Board of Education may also address the Board and audience.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start and that the Board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  The meeting will also be recorded and available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:

First public comment:  Related to items on the agenda.  Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

Second public comment:  Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.

Individuals who cannot attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than Noon on Tuesday, May 9^th.  Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).

CVPH program supplies blood, blood products to hospitals across our region 

PLATTSBURGH, NY –The Adirondack Regional Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), is conducting several community blood drives this month as part of its mission to ensure an adequate blood supply for the region.

The following is the May schedule of blood drives open to the public:

• Thursday, May 4, AuSable Knights of Columbus held at Holy Name Church Hall, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Friday, May 5, Burke Adult Center, 9 to 11 a.m.
• Monday, May 8, Champlain EMS station, co-sponsor Knights of Columbus, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 10, Chateaugay High School, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, May 11, Chazy High School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Friday, May 12, Northeastern Clinton Central School, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Monday, May 15, West Chazy Fire Department, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 16, Mountain Lake Services, Port Henry, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, May 18, Altona Fire Department, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, May 19, Camp Dudley, Westport, Noon to 4 p.m.
• Monday, May 22, Essex Fire Department, co-sponsor Masonic Lodge, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 23, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation headquarters, Ray Brook, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Thursday, May 25, Franklin Academy, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, May 26, CVPH Laboratory Conference Room, 214 Cornelia St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 30, Brushton-Moira American Legion, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 31, Alice Hyde Medical Center, Malone, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Walk-ins are also welcome at the Adirondack Regional Donor Center, located at  85 Plaza Blvd, and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blood collected by the Adirondack Regional Blood Center stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. Its success rests on the generosity of donors and sponsors.

A donor card or another form of identification is required to give. Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call (518) 562-7406.

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 Regular Meeting of April 24, 2023, and Special Meeting of April 10, 2023.

6. Community Input. 

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Possible Hiring of Highway MEO Position.

8. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  T-Mobile Tower Contract Changes.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Proposal for Refinement of Phase 1 Water Supply Investigation from the Hanson Van Vleet Company.

10. DISCUSSION:  Handbook Restrictions Regarding Nepotism.

11. DISCUSSION:  Fios Services at Town Court.

12. DISCUSSION:  Other Business. 

13. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills – May 2023

15. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

16. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

17. MOTION:     Adjourn

Join DEC’s Division of Water in celebrating Water Week May 7 – 13. For almost 40 years, New York has set aside a full week in May to focus on its water resources, highlight water issues, and encourage stewardship. This year’s theme is Water Protection and Conservation.

In New York, we are fortunate to have an abundant supply of water in our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands, as well as underground, for people to use and enjoy. DEC has been entrusted with the responsibility to protect and conserve New York State’s water resources for the benefit of all inhabitants of the State. This means protecting water used for drinking, recreating, agriculture, and preserving habitat. To do this, DEC manages water withdrawals and wastewater discharges, enforces laws and regulations, develops water quality standards, monitors the quality of waters, and works with partners to do all of these activities.

The Division of Water invites you to learn more about our programs to protect and conserve New York’s waters. During Water Week, watch for DEC social media posts and see if you know the answers to the Instagram trivia questions on Friday, May 12. Below are links to some Division of Water webpages to become more acquainted with us.

• Division of Water Watershed Management Cycle
• Monitoring New York’s Waters
• Groundwater Resources of New York
• Water Quality Standards and Classifications
• State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit Program
• Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2)
• Dam Safety, Coastal & Flood Protection

For ideas on ways you can help protect and conserve our water resources, go to DEC’s Watershed Stewardship and Keep Water Clean webpages.

If you like a vast choice and bargains, the Peru Community Fellowship Center is the place to be Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Investigators said they were able to obtain the Snapchat messages via a search warrant in relation to a March 16 incident 

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The Peru Central School District Hall of Fame is designed to recognize individuals or organizations who have made a significant impact on our school or achieved an outstanding contribution(s) to society as a graduate of Peru Central.  Criteria for the Hall of Fame include, but are not limited to:

1) Outstanding contribution(s) to Peru School

2) Outstanding contribution(s) to society 

3) Outstanding career

4) Participation and/or leadership in community activities 

5) Significant impact on an individual’s life while associated with Peru School

This year’s inductees for the June 7^th ceremony are:

Helen Allen Nerska

SUNY Plattsburgh Graduate

Moved to Canada and then returned to Peru in 2005 to live as the seventh generation on the family farm

Worked for 35 years in Senior Marketing & Administrative Positions

Worked as the Museum Manager for the North Star Underground Railroad Museum from January 2010 – April 2014

Elected President of the Clinton County Historical Association & Museum in January 2011

Took over as the Director of the CC Historical Association & Museum in March 2017

Assigned to the Historian for the Town of Peru in August 2022

Currently the Regional Coordinator of Consider the Source, a NYS Archives Project

On the Board of Directors of The Saranac Chapter of DAR (Treasurer), Northern New York American Canadian Genealogical Society, Women’s Rights Alliance of New York (2nd Vice President), and The League of Women’s Voters of the North Country (Co-President)

Author & Editor of the Clinton County Suffrage Story

Editor of the Heritage Corner (Monthly Publication in the Sun Community News)

Rita H. Hatfield 

Born and raised in the Adirondacks

Attended Holy Name Catholic School in AuSable Forks

Graduated from Plattsburgh State University College (Now SUNY Plattsburgh) with a teaching degree

Taught at Peru Elementary School and High School (Retired in 1977)

Engaged in the National Honor Society and the drama club/school plays

The Peru High School yearbook was dedicated to her on more than one occasion with special thanks and appreciation

After retirement from Peru High School, she became highly active in St. Augustine’s Catholic Church teaching bible study and becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister

In the early 1990s, she became a member of the Order of the Brothers & Sisters of Charity at The Little Portion Hermitage and Monastery in Berryville, Arkansas