Constitution

PREAMBLE:

We, the Students of North Shore Hebrew Academy High School, in order to achieve an optimal environment for effective learning, citizenship, and social development, as well as to enhance our Jewish values, do hereby form this Student Government. The Student Government represents the views and opinions of the student body. The Student Government provides a voice for students concerning both student and Jewish life. The Student Government partners with administrators, faculty, and our diverse community, to benefit the student body and wider community. The Student Government  advocates for the general will of the student body and will help develop well-rounded, responsible, and independent members of society who represent our Jewish and civic values.  The Student Government pledges to foster school spirit through all of the aforementioned goals.

צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ׃ {ס}         

ARTICLE I – SCOPE OF THE NSHA STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Since the Principal(s) are directly responsible for the welfare of the school, it is expressly understood that powers herein delegated to the Student Government are subject to the advice and consent of the Principal(s) or their designee.

The Student Government shall be responsible for the following: 

• Administrative and Faculty Liaison
  • The Student Government shall delegate a representative(s) to act as a liaison with both Administration and Faculty to meet periodically (at least once per quarter) to discuss relevant matters. 
  • Relevant matters include, but are not limited to: course selection, extracurricular programs, code of conduct, and event planning. 
• Policy and Advocacy
  • The Student Government shall have an advisory role in the formation of new student policies, as well as amending existing policies. 
  • The Student Government shall be consulted in matters of student discipline at the discretion of the Administration.
• Funding and Fundraising
  • The Student Government will:
    • Draft the yearly budget for the Student Government at the beginning of each school year (in consultation with and subject to approval of the Administration and the Director of Student Life).
    • Review all financial matters relating to the Student Government funds. 
    • Assume authority over the funds designated to it (in consultation with the Director of Student Life to ensure fundraising and expenditure consistency).
• Student Life
  • The Student Government will:
    • Address issues relevant to student life, including but not limited to, academic matters, extracurricular activities, student services and campus facilities.
    • Represent the opinions and concerns of their fellow students. 
• Communication and Information Dissemination
  • The Student Government will:
    • Inform the student body about Student Government activities, news, and decisions. 
    • Create minutes of all meetings which will become part of a public record of the Student Government. 
    • Periodically solicit student opinions and concerns.
    • Explore and implement new and more effective means of communication.

STRUCTURE OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT

• The student government shall consist of the following officers and bodies:
  • President
    • Elected by the student body
    • 1 year term limit 
  • Grade Vice President for each grade 9-12
    • Elected by their respective grade
    • 1 year term limit
  • The Executive Council shall be comprised of the President and Grade Vice Presidents
  • Legislature
    • Upper House
      • This body will be composed of delegates in good standing from the previous year’s Lower House.
      • For the 2024-2025 school year, the current Constitutional Convention Delegates will serve in the Upper House.
      • 1 year term
    • Lower House
      • Delegates elected by each History class  
      • 1 year term
    • Committees:
      • Committees will be joint committees that will meet regularly to carry out their responsibilities.
      • Permanent Standing Committees shall include:
        • Administrative Liaison Committee
          • This will be comprised of the Executive Council and chaired by the President
        • Financial and Fundraising Committee
          • Chaired by the Treasurer
        • Outreach/Philanthropy Committee
        • Print and Media Committee
    • Special Committees will be created as necessary and can include collaboration with other clubs and students.

ELECTION PROCEDURES

• The Executive Council shall set the dates and rules for elections within the requirements set forth in this Constitution.
  • For the 2024-2025 school year, election for these offices shall take place at the beginning of the new academic year no later than 10 days after רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה.
  • Thereafter:
    • Elections of all officers for the following academic year, with the exception of 9th grade officers, shall be held after פֶּסַח and no later than 10 days after פֶּסַח
    • Elections for 9th grade officers and Delegates from all grades shall take place at the beginning of the new academic year after  שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה and no later than 10 days after שִׂמְחַת תּוֹרָה
• Running for Office:
  • The Executive Council will draft detailed rules for running for office which will include the following:
    • Eligible candidates will complete an application for candidacy.
    • Candidates will be permitted to campaign during the week preceding the election.
    • Campaigning will include but not be limited to posters and speeches.
      • Speeches will be given during an appointed assembly on Election Day
  • Students may be deemed ineligible to run for Student Government if they have failed a class, committed plagiarism, cheated on an exam, or engaged in conduct unbecoming a North Shore Academy High School student.  In these cases, eligibility will be determined by the Administration.
• Elections:
  • Schoolwide Elections:
    • Voting for Executive Positions will be held by online ballot throughout election day.  
    • The Election will use a Borda Count ranked voting system
  • Lower House:
    • Each History Class will vote for one Delegate in the Lower House
  • Upper House:
    • The Upper House will be composed of members of the previous year’s Lower House
      • Students who have missed more than one third of the meetings for the current academic year will not be eligible to advance to the Upper House.
  • Treasurer and Secretary
    • The Treasurer and Secretary will be elected by the Student Government when it comes into session in September

RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT 

• The President:
  • Act as Presiding Officer for the Full Student Government Meetings
• The President and Vice Presidents (Executive Council):
  • Shall set the calendar of meetings in June for the following school year
  • Shall comprise the Administrative Liaison Committee
• The Vice Presidents:
  • In addition to Executive Council responsibilities, will periodically meet with the delegates from their grade
• The  Treasurer shall:
  • Be the Chair of the Financial and Fundraising Committee which will:
    • Draft the yearly budget for the Student Government by the end of September of the current school year (subject to approval by the Administration) .
    • Review all financial matters relating to the Student Government funds. 
    • Maintain financial records for the Student Government
    • Report the status of the Student Government Account and Expenditures to the Full Delegation at its meetings
• The Secretary shall:
  • Keep the minutes of the proceedings of the Full Delegation Meetings
  • Distribute the minutes from the previous meeting to the delegates at each meeting
  • Receive minutes from the Grade and Committee Meetings
    • Upon a vote, those minutes will become part of the official record.
• The Legislature shall:
  • Determine the rules of its proceedings when it convenes in September
  • Form committees and such offices as they deem necessary 
  • Legislative Enactments
    • Enactments of the student government must be initiated by the Lower House or a body duly constituted by the student government
    • An enactment can only be proposed by a member of the two houses or the duly constituted body
    • A legislative enactment must go through Lower House then Upper House and pass by a simple majority in both chamber 
    • Executive Committee has veto power by majority vote
    • Legislature can override the veto with ⅔ majority 
  • Liaison to the History Classes
    • Representatives will give a brief report on Student Council activities to their respective History classes at the direction of the Executive Council
    • Representatives will take comments and concerns from their History class and register them with the Legislature. 

MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

• The student government will meet in the following capacities no less than once per month:
  • Whole delegation
  • Committees
  • Grade Delegation
• A scribe will be selected for each meeting at the beginning of the meeting and the minutes will be submitted to the Secretary

AMENDING THE NSHA STUDENT CONSTITUTION

• The NSHA Constitution may be amended at any time during the school year
• Amendments can be passed with a ⅔ majority of the Full Delegation of the Student Government subject to the approval of the School Administration.

RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICERS

• All Officers are expected to maintain the highest levels of integrity, ethical behavior and professionalism. 
• Officers and Representatives are subject to removal based on dereliction of responsibilities
  • Removal can be initiated by the Administration, Faculty Advisors or a member of the Student Government.
    • A motion for removal shall be introduced to the Lower House of the Student Government in such cases.
    • After a period of debate not to exceed one hour, a vote shall be taken.
    • The subject of the removal proceedings shall be removed from their office upon a minimum vote of 60%

ADVISORS, ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT

• Administration will select Faculty Advisors with the Advice and Consent of the Student Government Leadership
• The Faculty Advisors shall be:
  • Present at meetings
  • Ensure compliance with school policies and procedures
  • Ensure compliance with the Constitution

RATIFICATION

• Each delegate shall meet with his/her History class to present the Constitution
• The Constitution shall be submitted to the student body for approval by a simple majority vote