Student Government

Onteora High School’s Student Government is dedicated to serving our school and community with diligence, honor, and integrity. Our mission is to:

• Facilitate productive and open communication between the student body and administration, the Board of Education, teachers, and faculty  

• Support the student body through unbiased advocacy 

• Maintain accountability and approachability to our constituents

• Foster a safe, comfortable environment conducive to learning

• Promote a culture that passes its excellence to succeeding generations of students

• Build and strengthen respect and equality towards all

Each generation of student government will strive to leave Onteora stronger than they found it. By dedicating ourselves to fulfilling these ideals, we will serve our school and community through voicing the student body’s collective ideas and putting them into action.

Onteora Association of Student Governments

 

Any bylaws or amendments passed by the Onteora Association of Student Governments in no way supersedes Board policy.

 

1. Activities of Student Government

1. This body can discuss and/or vote on any suggestions made by staff members, administration, the Board of Education,, or students outside or within this council.
2. This body reserves the right not to entertain any said suggestions

1. To dismiss a suggestion, one must say “trash”

2. Election Process for Class Officers

1. It is not the role of student government to either mandate or suggest campaigning

1. Candidates may choose whether or not to campaign

1. If candidates choose to campaign, all campaign activities must be cleared through the administration

2. Grade level assemblies to be approved by administration shall be held to present the election process to students.

3. Election Process for Student Government Officers

1. By default, the roles of Treasurer, Secretary, President, and Vice President shall be taken on by the Senior class officers in accordance with their already established positions (ex: the Senior class President will also be the President of Student Government)
2. If no Seniors are interested in the open position, with the exception of the role of President, the position will fall to the Junior class officers in accordance with their already established positions
3. This process shall be repeated all the way down to the Freshman class should no Seniors, Juniors, or Sophomores express interest in officer positions in Student Government
4. Should the Senior Class President decline their position as the President of Student Government, a special election may be held to elect a senior to that position

1. All high school students, freshmen through seniors, may vote in the special election

4. Removal from Office

1. Should any elected member of Student Government fail to attend three or more consecutive meetings without offering sufficient explanation, the rest of the members may choose to hold a vote to reevaluate that member’s position

1. A three quarters majority vote of all members is required to remove the member from office

1. Absentee ballots shall be accepted

2. The removed member’s position shall be filled by the student that was the runner up in that year’s class election for the vacant position
3. If the removed member ran uncontested, a special election shall be held to fill the vacant position

2. Should the impeachment of an elected member of Student Government be proposed, the body of Student Government will vote on whether to impeach them.

1. First there will be a vote for impeachment that requires 50% to pass.
2. If the first vote impeaches the member, the impeached member will have an opportunity to defend themself.
3. After their defense, another vote with a 75% majority will result in their removal.
4. If they are removed, the runner-up of their position will be awarded the position.

1. If the runner-up is not interested in the position, a special election will be held.

1. The impeached member can not run for re-election in the year they are impeached.

 

5. Voting Within Student Government

1. The staff advisor for Student Government is not a voting member of the association
2. A majority of member votes in favor is required to pass a motion
3. Absentee votes shall not be accepted
4. Written statements may be issued to be read aloud at meetings in anticipation of an absence

6. Meetings

1. One meeting per quarter including grades 6-12 per year shall be held when and if possible

 

 

7. Student Government Roles

1. Board Representative

1. The Board representative shall be a standing, voting member of the Association of Student Government
2. Material presented to the Board falls under the ultimate discretion of the Board Representative

1. Possible sources include a suggestion box, meeting minutes, and personal discretion

3. The Board Representative must brief Student Government on his/her/their intended message before presenting to the Board

2. President

1. The President shall run and call meetings as well as make agendas in partnership with the advisor

1. In calling meetings, the President is not required to adhere to a given schedule

3. Vice President

1. The Vice President shall fill the role of President if the elected President is not in attendance

4. Treasurer        

1. The Treasurer shall log money with the advisor
2. The Treasurer shall suggest future budgets

5. Secretary

1. The Secretary shall take official minutes of all formal meetings

1. In the event that the Secretary is absent from a meeting, a volunteer shall take minutes
2. Minutes shall be sent to the advisor following all meetings

8. Amendments

1. An amendments section shall be included in the bylaws of this association.
2. This is a standing document until amended

1.  The approval of students, as described in Section IV, is required to amend this document

9. Resignation

1. If a student wishes to resign from their position, they must send a letter of resignation to the president of the student government to be read aloud during the next student government meeting.
2. Following resignation, if there is a runner up who wishes to take the position, they may. Otherwise, a special election will be held to elect the new member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Initiatives

Here are some of the things that your student government is working on:

• Letter writing campaign to senior citizens.
• Student use of outdoor spaces (courtyards).