PURPOSE:

The Student Council, a non-profit organization, is to be an integral part of the system which reviews school policies directly affecting the students. It is also to representative of the students, a direct link between students and the administration. 

OBJECTIVES:

1.     To voice student opinions about school policies.

2.     To give the students an open forum in airing grievances, making suggestions and interchanging ideas.

3.     To give students experience in making important decisions involving large numbers of people, i.e., giving the students responsibilities.

4.     To engage in a limited number of community or charitable activities.

ELECTION OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL:

1.     There will be five representatives elected from each class to serve on the Council.

2.     There will be no grade requirements or recommendations needed to be a candidate. However, after term one each member must pass, throughout the school year, at least four out of five academic subjects (at least 20 credits).

3.     Balloting is to occur at a time and place when all students will have the right to vote, i.e., Student Election Day.

4.     All candidates have the opportunity to state their platform, including their speech on election day; posters and notices are to be approved by Dean of Students.

NON-ELECTED STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS:

1. Delegates at Large

1. • Students selected by the advisor who may or may not have initially run for a spot on Student Council.

   • There can be a maximum of one Delegate at Large selected per graduating class.

   • These students will only be selected if the advisor deems it necessary and appropriate.

   • Delegates at Large are voting members.

   • Delegates at Large have the option to be nominated and elected for the offices  of President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer.

2. Walk-ons

• Students interested in becoming a member of Student Council, who may or may not have run for the position during elections.

• Walk-ons are non-voting members.

• Walk-ons cannot be nominated or elected for the offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer.

3. The purpose of having Delegates at Large and Walk-ons: To increase the size of the Student Council, thereby increasing the quality of the output of activities.

RULES GOVERNING THE BEHAVIOR OF STUDENT COUNCIL MEMBERS:

1.     Three unexcused absences will result in automatic dismissal from the Council.

2.     Excessive tardiness or absences gives the Council the right to sanction the member.

3.     A suspension from school, for whatever reason, automatically results in an unexcused absence from the next, following the suspension, meeting of the Council.

4.     Each member must be taking, and passing, at least four academic courses (20) credits.

5.     Two missed responsibilities will equal one unexcused absence.

RULES GOVERNING STUDENT COUNCIL MEETINGS:

1.     A President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary are to be elected at the last meeting before the seniors leave in the spring. 

2.     The President conducts all meetings unless he/she is absent, at which time the Vice-President acts in the President’s place.

3.     The Vice-President shares in the responsibilities of, and cooperates with, the President.

4.     The Secretary takes notes at each meeting and makes them public. He/she is to review the business of the previous week at each meeting and is to write all correspondence of the Council.

5.     The Treasurer is to keep an accurate account of the Council’s finances.

6.     All Student Council meetings are open to the student body except when either the Council or the Administration feels it necessary to call a closed meeting consisting of just the Council, its advisor(s), and other invited people.

7.     A designated member of the Council is to be responsible for preparing an agenda to include time for student voice, for each meeting.

8.     Meetings are to be held once a week during a period time that permits all members to attend. The only exception being in emergency cases when the President may call a meeting at his/her discretion and with consent of advisor(s).

9.     The Council will choose members of the faculty they would like as an advisor. These members will be asked if they would like the position and, if they agree, the names will be submitted to the principal. The advisor(s) may consist of up to three members.

10.  The Student Council may appoint special sub-committees in order to study certain issues brought to the Student Council. These sub-committees will produce a list of proposals for the Council to discuss and vote on.

STUDENT COUNCIL VOTES:

1.     A quorum of one-half plus one of the total membership (thirteen members) is necessary before a vote can be taken. A simple majority is needed to carry the vote.

2.     If a member is not present for a vote, that vote is not counted unless it is a deciding vote.

3.     When the Council makes a vote, it should be made public.

4.     If the administration favors a Council decision, and if the School Committee approves, the decision then becomes a law.

5.     If the Administration vetoes a decision, the proposal is denied.

STUDENT REFERENDUM:

(The right to formally poll the student body of issues which the Council feels is expedient and vital to the student body.) The right of referendum is sanctioned and upheld by the Principal and his/her Administration, although the Administration, in turn, reserves the right to ask parental and faculty opinions on the same issues.

AMENDMENT I  (voted unanimously October 21, 1975)

All withdrawals of Council money of any amount must be dated, discussed among the Council at a regularly scheduled meeting, and then signed by the President, the Treasurer, and the advisor(s).

AMENDMENT II (voted unanimously March 2, 2022)

The Acton Boxborough Regional High School Student Council, whenever two-thirds of all voting members shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to the Constitution.

AMENDMENT III (passed March 2, 2022)

All delegates at large candidates must attend a minimum of five meetings, participate in one major Student Council fundraising event, and meet the requirements of an elected member in order to be considered for the position. All candidates must uphold school ideals and demonstrate responsibility, good citizenship, and moral character. The advisors, President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary shall evaluate all applications and determine the qualification of the candidate. More than one delegates at large may be appointed to each graduating class if approved.