CONSTITUTION OF THE SPARTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT GOVERNMENT ARTICLE I - NAME 70 WEST MOUNTAIN ROAD SPARTA, NEW JERSEY The name of this governing student body shall be the Student Council (SC) of Sparta High School. SC--will now be used to delineate the organization known as Student Council of Sparta High School. ARTICLE II - PURPOSE The purpose of this body shall be to legislate on behalf of and for the general welfare of the students of Sparta High School; to express an opinion on and for the behalf of the students of SHS; to encourage the greater participation in all SHS functions; to provide school functions; to provide community relations for the students of Sparta High School. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP Membership will be open to any student of Sparta High School regardless of grade level. Each assembly member must be elected by their respective homeroom class in order to be a part of the assembly. ARTICLE IV - ORGANIZATION AND LEGISLATION Section 1 - The SC shall consist of two equal houses, Senate and Assembly, that shall have all legislative powers. Section 2 - The SC shall have an executive branch known as the Executive Board, that shall have all executive powers. Noted in Article VII Section 3 - The school administration shall have the power to veto any action of the SC but shall be asked to provide an explanation and/or alternative action. Section 4 - The SC shall meet on a day decided upon by the Executive Board and the SC advisors Section 5 - The SC shall sit according to grade and shall not be divided in seating by houses and will vote as one body. Section 6 - The Constitution, along with copies of the current minutes and financial statement will be posted and read before each meeting.
ARTICLE V - THE SENATE Section 1 - The Senate shall consist of English class representatives elected in September by the majority of their English class. Section 2 - Anyone wishing to run for Senate must file for candidacy with the Executive Board but shall be subject to approval based on administrative concerns only. Section 3 - The runner-up, if any, shall become an alternate member of the Senate, may only attend meetings in the Senators absence, and may only vote in the absence of the Senator speaker. Section 4 Senators shall report the minutes from each meeting to their English class. They also shall be responsible for conveying any concerns of the students whom they represent. Section 5 - The Senate shall be notified of and must approve for any Executive Board decisions made prior to general meetings. Section 6 - Any Senator may introduce a proposal or idea pertaining to the school or SC. Section 7 It is required that all Senators must attend SC meetings and functions. Failure to attend a quorum of meetings and functions may result in the senator being dismissed form the Student Council. Section 8 - The term of each Senator shall begin in September and end in the following June. ARTICLE VI - THE ASSEMBLY Section 1 - The assembly shall consist of members who file an application and are chosen by the Executive Board in September. They must meet the same administrative standards as the Senators. Section 2 - No Assemblyperson may address the administration as a representative of SC unless directed to do so by the Executive Board. Section 3 - The Assembly shall attend all SC meetings and participate in SC activities. Section 4 - The term for an Assembly persons shall begin in September and end in the following June. ARTICLE VII - THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1 - The Executive Board shall consist of the SC President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board of Education Representative, PSTO Representative, two Spirit Chairpersons, a Fundraising chair, Charity chair, and four class presidents.
Section 2 - The Executive Board shall meet at an appropriate time and plan the agenda for general meetings. Section 3 - The Executive Board shall control all nominations pending Senate approval. Section 4 - The Executive Board shall have executive review of all proposals and may veto those deemed unable to be completed. Section 5 - The Executive Board shall ensure that all legislation is carried out, committees are efficient, all members are active, informed, and involved. Section 6 - The Executive Board may not vote during general meetings. Section 7 - All voting Executive Board members, with the exception of the those chosen by the SC (BOE Rep., PSTO Rep., Spirit, Fundraising, and Charity chairs shall be chosen through a vote by the entire school with the exception of the graduating class. Class presidents are nominated and voted by their individual grade. Section 8 - Any students wishing to join the Executive Board must have served on the Sparta High School SC for at least one year, must acquire a petition of 50 signatures, and submit a written statement of intent to the students of SHS. Section 9 - The Executive Board may propose and comment on ideas presented during meetings. Section 10 - The Executive Board may create committees and appoint a committee chairperson with the approval of the Senate when necessary. Section 11 - The Executive Board must meet the same administrative criteria as applied to the Senate and Assembly. Section 12 - The terms of the Executive Board will begin for one year beginning and ending July 1st. Section 13-All members of SC must abide by Code of Conduct set forth by the school administration. Code of Conduct: a. All members of SC must maintain a 2.0 GPA. b. Students who do not maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 will be removed from that position. c. Students who fail to maintain a marking period GPA of 2.0 or above will be placed on probation for one marking period. The executive board will nominate a member to assume open responsibilities if individual does not meet GPA requirements.
d. If the GPA is not raised during the probationary period, the officer will be removed from said position e. Upon notification of 2 nd Administrative Detention or first in school suspension, the individual will be dismissed. f. Members caught using illegal substance abuse or alcohol related offenses will result in termination throughout the calendar year. This is a zero tolerance policy! Conduct Unbecoming an Officer or Member of Student Council To reestablish a code of conduct for officers, general membership and assembly members involved with SHS Student Council. You are a representative of the school and your peers that must conduct yourself in a manner that upholds the values of our school. Do not be a follower but leader by example, be a positive role model. Show Integrity! The following are examples of conduct unbecoming an officer or member of Student Council: cutting class, truancy, and dishonesty, cheating and stealing. These issues plus others deemed unbecoming by the administration and advisors are reasons for dismissal from S.C. without a probationary period. ARTICLE VIII - FACULTY ADVISORS Section 1 - The purpose of the advisor (s) is to inform the students of school policy, counsel, advise, and ensure the constitution is always the final authority. Section 2 - Shall handle all SC mail and present it to the respective member. Section 3 - The advisor(s) shall attend the Executive Board meetings when possible and aid in orchestration of events and decisions. Section 4 - The advisor(s) is the legal representative of the school administration. ARTICLE IX - EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Section 1 - President a. Shall hold the official voice of all the students of Sparta High School. b. Shall preside over all SC meetings and serve as chair of the Exec. Board
c. Shall ensure all Executive Board members are following all responsibilities and that the constitutions is always followed. d. Shall ensure legislation is carried out to fullest extent. e. Shall prepare the agenda for all meetings, both executive and general. f. May only vote in case of tie when the EB or assembly is deadlocked. g. Must keep advisor(s) informed of SC actions. h. Must review and approve all SC actions. i. May undergo review by the Executive Board and advisor(s). Refer to Article VII, Section 13 (Code of Conduct) If found to be lacking in duties, or unable to carry through responsibilities and/or not meeting with administrative standards, the president shall be voted out from office and replaced by Vice President. Section 2 - Vice President a. Shall perform all duties of president in his/her absence. b. Serves as ex-officio chairperson of all committees. c. Shall handle all school elections, be they school or SC. d. Shall contact newspapers, radio, etc. and handle all publicity with the consent of the advisor(s). Section 3 - Secretary a. Shall take minutes of all general meetings. b. Shall prepare, post, and distribute minutes to all members for SC meetings. c. Shall handle all memos, attendance, correspondence, and bills up for legislation d. Shall work with advisor s of SC to update SC web page when applicable Section 4 - Treasurer a. Shall keep records of all SC funds. b. Shall report to the SC the financial statement, in writing, by posting and distributing copies to all members. c. Shall handle all financial matters and see that all debts are paid.
Section 5 - Board of Education Representative a. A BOE representative will be nominated by any SC member and chosen by the SC at the last meeting. b. Shall have the official voice of all the students of Sparta High School at all monthly BOE meetings. c. Shall have the responsibility of attending all BOE meetings. d. Shall serve as a non-voting member on the BOE. e. Shall give a BOE report to the SC after each meeting. f. Must inform the SC and Executive Board of any item to be brought to the Board of Education before it can be voiced as an issue from the SC. Section 6 - PSTO Representative a. A PSTO representative will be nominated by any SC member and chosen by the SC at the end of the year before they begin service. b. Shall attend all PSTO meetings and convey information between the PSTO and the SC. Section 7 - Executive Members a. Shall be nominated by an member of SC and elected by the SC. b. One member shall oversee all Charity work including the NJASC State Charity; shall set goals and plans for achieving set goals; shall report the Executive Board and SC; shall create community service projects for council members. c. Two SC members shall oversee all school spirit activities; shall evaluate progress of all activities and prepare evaluations for the Executive Board and Student Council; shall run Homecoming, spirit week, battle of the classes, and The Snowball. d. One member shall handle fundraising; shall suggest or create fundraisers; shall evaluate all fundraisers and prepare reports the Executive Board and SC. e. Each member s role is to create and monitor the committees that oversee the specific projects in his/her category. Section 8 - Class Presidents a. Voted by their individual class, each is an active member of the Executive Board on their grade s behalf. b. May address and bring up any issue.
ARTICLE X - REMOVAL OF MEMBERS Section 1 - Any Senator may be removed by a two-thirds majority of their English room and their position shall be filled by the alternate. Section 2 - Any Assemblyperson or Senator may be removed if the Executive Board finds him/her to be an inactive member after an established 1/2 year evaluation. There will be no replacement found upon the dismissal of an assemblyperson. * Refer to Article VIII, Section 13 (Code of Conduct) ARTICLE XI - CONSTITUTION Section 1 - An amendment may be added to the constitution with a two-thirds majority of SC and Executive approval. Section 2 - Any member who defies the operation of the constitution may be removed from the SC after Executive review