Some years back, when Jackson was a baby school, some students and teachers got together and wrote up this huge thing called the Constitution. Today, our school Constitution gives us students the power to manage our own money, to plan our own activities, and to make our own decisions. That's a lot of power for a bunch of kids to have, isn't it? Fortunately, the Constitution also puts limits on our power so that we don't get out of control. The things that puts us at the losing end is the fact that the adults will tell us what we can't do, but they probably won't tell us what we CAN do. So, it's up to us students to know our rights and it's up to us students to know how much power we have.
So, Jackson High School's Class of 2003 has prepared the Constitution for the INTERNET, and we all hope that you use the Constitution wisely. If you know a lot about it, it can be your best friend, but if you don't, it can be your worst enemy.
INDEX to the Constitution:
Article
I: Name
Article II:
School's Identity
Article III:
Membership
Article IV:
Student's Rights
Article V:
Executive Cabinet
Article VI:
Congress
Article VII: How
a Bill Becomes Final
Article VIII:
Officers and Their Duties
-----Executive Board
-----Executive Cabinet-
Class Officers
Article IX:
Order of Succession
Article X:
Elections
Article XI:
Meetings
Article XII:
Committees
Article XIII:
Clubs or Groups
Article XIV:
Funds
Article XV:
Code of Ethics
Article XVI:
Resignation
Article XVII:
Impeachment
Article XVIII:
Power of the Principal
Article XIX:
Revisions
The Constitution of Henry M. Jackson High School
Revised April 1999
Reproduced by the JHS Class of 2003
Preamble
We, the students of Henry M. Jackson High School, in order to promote equal rights for all students, to provide a structure for the Associated Student Body government, to insure respect between students, teacher, faculty and the community and to serve as a mediator for the student body, establish this Constitution for the students of Henry M. Jackson High School.
Section 1: The name of this school shall be Henry M. Jackson High School and the organization that shall govern over the student body shall be here and after referred to as the ASB of Henry M. Jackson High School.
Section 1: Henry M. Jackson’s school colors shall be forest green, white, and black. The mascot shall be the Timberwolf.
Section 1: This constitution applies to all registered students of Henry M. Jackson High School.
Section 2: All officers, representatives and members of an ASB sponsored organization must hold a valid ASB card.
Section 3: Any registered Jackson student with a valid ASB card is an ASB member.
Section 1: Every student has the right to be respected and treated fairly by all staff and students, regardless of age, gender, nationality, religion, appearance, or personal views.
Section 2: All students have the right to express their opinions about the student government orally or in written form. As long as it conforms to the rules and regulations of Henry M. Jackson High School, and the Everett School District.
Section 3: Any student has the right to participate in any election as long as he/she abides by the ASB Constitution and election rules.
Section 4a: If a group of ASB members feel they are not being fairly represented by the student government, they may appoint an individual to represent them in the Congress. Prior to the appointment of this representative, the following steps must be completed: 1) The group must obtain 75 signatures on an official petition. 2) The group must submit this petition along with probable cause in written form as to why they would need to be represented. 3) The group must submit the name of the individual they wish to represent them. The Congress at the next meeting will vote and if a majority of 50% +1 approves, this group would be represented in the Congress.
Section 4b: No student may sign a petition twice. No teacher may sign a petition. All petitions must be on an official form provided by the ASB. A student may not sign a petition for two separate candidates of issues.
Section 5: If any student wishes to have an issue brought up at a Congress meeting, he/she must submit the issue to the Vice President before the agenda is created. They may be present to help promote their idea/issue to the Congress.
Section 6: A student body member who has requested to be put on the agenda may present his/her proposal during new business. A proposal must be passed by a majority of 50% +1 vote of the ASB Executive Board and Congress.
Section 1: The Executive Cabinet is made of the Executive Board and the Class Officers. Each class will elect a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Activities Coordinator. The Executive Cabinet members agree to meet on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Section 2: The Executive Board consists of elected officials voted on by the entire student body. These offices include the ASB President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Activities Coordinator and two Interhigh Representatives. The Executive Board members agree to meet on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting and to attend the Cispus Leadership Conference during the summer.
Section 3: The Executive Board has the final vote on a bill of subject. The only person(s) that has the authority over the Executive Board will be the Principal or his/her designee, and the Activities Director or his/her designee.
Section 1: The Congress shall be made up of ten members from each class, three alternates and a representative from each Planning Team.
Section 2: The Congress members are required to submit a Congress Petition to the ASB Advisor. Each Planning Team will elect a representative to the Congress.
Article VII: How a Bill Becomes Final
Section 1: A 50% +1 majority vote by the Executive Cabinet and Congress is necessary for a bill to be finalized.
Article VIII: Officers and Their Duties
Section 1a. ASB President
The duties of the ASB President are as follows: to preside over the Executive Board, Executive Cabinet and the Congress; to report the status of the meeting to the Principal; and to report the status of main issues to the Associated Student Body. He/she has the deciding vote of the Congress when there is not a 50% +1 majority.
Section 1b. ASB Vice President
The duties of the Vice President are as follows: to give the Secretary a copy of the agenda at least two (2) school days prior to the meeting; to distribute agendas to the Executive Board at least one (1) school day prior to the meeting. He/she should be prepared to assume the duties of President at any time. He/she can vote at any of the Executive Board and Congress meetings. He/she is the authority on the ASB Constitution; keeps accurate records of all minutes and reports from meetings; helps with revision process of the Constitution; preserves all records and passes them down for future preservation.
Section 1c: ASB Secretary
The duties of the ASB Secretary are as follows: to keep minutes at all meetings. At the beginning of each meeting the Secretary will read the minutes from the previous meeting. The Secretary will distribute a typed copy of the minutes to the officers at least three (3) days after the meeting. He/she must keep attendance records at meetings and include it in the minutes.
Section 1d: ASB Treasurer
The duties of the ASB Treasurer are as follows: has a working knowledge of the financial position of the Executive Board, Executive Cabinet and Congress. He/she understands school and district policies regarding the use of school funds. He/she makes sure that all projects and activities are cost efficient. The ASB Treasurer advises on the availability of funds for activities. He/she will report on the financial statues of the ASB account at the beginning of each meeting and will give a typed copy of the Treasurer’s Report to the ASB Secretary. The ASB Treasurer will work closely with the ASB Activities Coordinator and Activities Director.
Section 1e: ASB Activities Coordinator
The duties of the ASB Activities Coordinator are as follows: is in charge of planning and coordinating activities; works with the ASB Treasurer planning fundraisers; works closely with the Activities Director to carry out the Schedule of Activities on the ASB Calendar.
Section 1g: Interhigh Representatives (2)
The duties of the ASB Interhigh Representatives are as follows: to represent Jackson High School at monthly Wesco Interhigh meetings; to report to the ASB Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress on Wesco Interhigh news and to be actively involved in the activities of the Wesco Interhigh.
Executive Cabinet- Class Officers
Section 2a: Class President
The duties of the Class President are as follows: to speak on behalf of the Class at Executive Cabinet meetings and to chair Class meetings. He/she agrees to attend Executive Cabinet meetings on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Section 2b: Class Vice President
The duties of the Class Vice President are as follows: to represent the Class at Executive Cabinet meetings and to be prepared to take over for the President in an emergency or in his/her absence. He/she agrees to attend Executive Cabinet meetings on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Section 2c: Class Secretary
The duties of the Class Secretary are as follows: to keep minutes at all Class meetings; read the minutes from the previous meeting; keep an accurate record of past minutes; give the ASB Secretary a copy of the minutes by the following school day; distribute a copy of the minutes at the Executive Cabinet meeting and keep an accurate attendance record. Attendance must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. He/she agrees to attend Executive Cabinet meetings on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Section 2d: Class Treasurer
The duties of the Class Treasurer are as follows: to know the financial position of the Class; to work with the Activities Coordinator in planning fundraisers; to make sure that all projected activities are cost efficient; to know and understand school and district policy regarding the use of school funds and to provide a Treasurer’s Report to the ASB Treasurer no later than one school day after a Class meeting. He/she agrees to attend Executive Cabinet meetings on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Section 2e: Class Activities Coordinator
The duties of the Class Activities Coordinator are as follows: to be in charge of planning class activities; to work with the Treasurer in planning fundraisers and to work closely with the ASB Activities Coordinator and Activities Director. He/she agrees to attend Executive Cabinet meetings on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Article IX: Order of Succession
Section 1: If the ASB of Class President is unavailable (impeachment, resignation, injury, vacation or any other case not before mentioned) the Vice President will take his/her place. If the Vice President were to become unavailable for any reason then the Secretary would take the job of President. If this were to be a long term situation, the positions of Vice President and Secretary would be appointed after the process of application were completed.
Section 2: If the Vice President was to become unavailable and the President was still in office, the Secretary would keep his/her office and take over the office of Vice President. If this was a long term arrangement, a new Secretary would be appointed.
Section 3: If any other officer were to become unavailable, that office would be filled by the process of application and appointment. Students that wish to fill the void in the government would have to go through the application process. Applications would be reviewed by an election committee and voted upon by that committee.
Section 1: Elections for the subsequent school year are to take place no later than six (6) weeks prior to the end of the school year. Freshman elections will take place within the first four weeks of the first semester unless other plans have been made by the previous Executive Board and Congress. The Class Elections will take place two weeks after the ASB Elections. Petitions for Congress will be available immediately following Class elections from the Activities Director.
Section 2: Planning teams will hold elections the same day as the Freshman elections unless other plans have been made by the current Executive Cabinet and Congress.
Section 3: Executive Cabinet or Congress members may not be Planning Team Representatives, but can report to their respective Planning Team if the representative cannot.
Section 4: The Officer’s term begins the day following the last day of school. An officer can hold the same position for three terms. He/she must go through the election process each time. He/she can be elected to another office after they have completed one (1) to three (3) terms. No officer can hold more than one office at a time.
Section 5: The ASB Advisor is in charge of the elections and the election process.
Section 6: All campaign signs must be removed within 24 hours following an election. Signs may not be visible around the polling place on Election Day. The ASB Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress will levy a clean up charge for each sign not removed within 24 hours following the election. Candidates are responsible for all signs and campaign materials bearing their name.
Section 1: The Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress will meet on every second day of the school week at a time specified at the first official ASB Cabinet meeting.
Section 2: The students must have at least two days notice before a meeting is held except when an emergency meeting is called.
Section 3: Agendas will be in the following order.
Attendance
Reading of prior minutes
Class/committee reports
Old business
New business
Concerns
Dates of upcoming meetings
Business for next meeting
Adjourn
Section 4: If an officer has two unexcused absences from Executive Board, Cabinet or Congress meetings, the following order of events will take place. A letter will be sent by the Executive Board informing the officer of his unexcused absences. The officer will be asked to respond in writing to the Executive Board. The Executive Board will meet with the officer to discuss the response. The Executive Board will make a decision whether to proceed with impeachment. If the Executive Board decides to proceed with impeachment, their findings will be brought before the Congress and a vote will be taken. A 2/3 majority is necessary for impeachment.
Section 5:
If an officer is to report to more than one meeting at the same time, the officer must follow this rank order of meetings:
Executive Board
Executive Cabinet
Congress
Class
Activities
Section 6:
When a vote is required, a quorum is needed. A 1/2 Congress member, 3/.5 Class officer member, and a 4/7 Executive Board member representation is necessary for a quorum.
Section 1: When a committee is needed, the Vice President will select a chairperson. The chairperson will then select the committee members.
Section 1: If a club or group wishes the use of ASB funds, they must be recognized by the ASB Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress as a club or group. To become an official club, a petition must be filed with the ASB containing 25 student signatures. The petition must also contain a club constitution, a list of officers and an advisor.
Section 2: A 50% +1 majority vote is necessary by the Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress for a club to be recognized by the ASB.
Section 3: Clubs must inform the ASB Activities Coordinator and/or the ASB Secretary when their club meetings will take place.
Section 4: If a club or group disobeys school or district rules or regulations or does not meet the expectations of the ASB Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress, the ASB can immediately withdraw funds.
Section 1: If a club or group wishes the use of ASB funds, they must bring their proposed bill before the Executive Board and Cabinet. If the request exceeds $1,000.00, the Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress must approve the allocation of funds.
Section 2: Funds cannot be used for any personal gain. If funds are found missing, the Executive Board will immediately alert the Principal and/or his/her designee and the authorities. If someone is found guilty of using school funds for personal gain, or unauthorized usage of funds, that officer will immediately go before an impeachment committee.
Section 3: All officers must follow district and state policy regarding usage of school funds.
Section 4: All funds raised, distributed or otherwise collected, must be deposited into the ASB treasury.
Section 5: The budget planning for the ensuing year will begin in January of the preceding year. The budget committee shall consist of the ASB Treasurer and Class Treasurers. Adoption of the budget shall be the first order of business at the first Executive Cabinet meeting.
Section 1: No officer can disobey any of the following rules:
Cannot use illegal drugs
Cannot use alcohol
Cannot use tobacco products
Cannot disobey any State or Federal law
Must follow all school rules
Must have at least a 2.75 GPA
Section 2: All rules must be followed during and after school.
Section 3: If any officer is found in violation of any rule, he/she must immediately go before an impeachment committee.
Section 1: If a member of the council wishes to resign, he/she must submit a letter giving reasonable explanation two weeks before he/she wishes to leave the position.
Section 2: During the two weeks after receipt of a letter indicating an officer is resigning, the Executive Board must begin the process of appointing another official to fill the vacancy by the process of application and appointment.
A. Impeachment by Committee
Section 1: If a member of the Executive Board, Cabinet or Congress is found in violation of this Constitution he/she shall go before an impeachment committee which has been appointed by the Executive Board.
Section 2: The impeachment committee must include the Principal and/or his/her designee, the ASB Advisor and the Executive Board unless he/she is being reviews by the impeachment committee.
B. Impeachment by Students
Section 1: If students wish to have a representative or official impeached, they must submit probable cause as to why the official should be impeached and outline the steps they have taken thus far. They should give this information to the Congress. If the Congress agrees to it by a majority vote of more than 2/3, it is then forwarded to the Executive Board and Cabinet. If they agree to it by a majority vote of more than 2/3 then the impeachment committee shall review the case.
Article XVIII: Power of the Principal
Section 1: The Principal has the power to override any decision made by the Executive Board, Cabinet and Congress with the exception of budgetary matters.
Section 1: The Constitution must be reviewed and changed, if needed, for the first three years [1995, 1996, 1997].
Section 2: The Constitution must be reviewed every four years after 1997 and changed, if needed.
Section 3: All amendments to this Constitution must be approved by a ¾ majority of the Executive Board, Cabinet, and Congress.
This electronically-generated copy of the Constitution of Henry M. Jackson High School was produced and is maintained by the JHS Class of 2003. This copy was intended to be reproduced exactly and should be fully current with the definitive version. Any errors or disparities are not the responsibility of the JHS Class of 2003. This copy is not a replacement for the definitive current version available from the Activities Office at Henry M. Jackson High School. Anyone who uses this copy of the Constitution of Henry M. Jackson High School does so knowing that the JHS Class of 2003 is not responsible for any outcome or penalty that might arise from doing so. In addition any legislative or administrative ruling, outcome, or decision made using facts from this copy of the Constitution of Henry M. Jackson High School is not in anyway liable or related to the JHS Class of 2003 without the written consent of the JHS Class of 2003.