Student Council/ASB Bylaws

Lathrop Intermediate School Proposed Bylaws for Student Council

• The name of this organization shall be:  Lathrop Intermediate Student Council (Associated Student Body or ASB).

PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION:

The purpose of this organization will be:

• Provide the Lathrop Intermediate School community with opportunities to share their time, gifts, and talents in service to Lathrop Intermediate School; the communities and the surrounding area that makes up Santa Ana USD; and the global community;
• Provide special events that promote school spirit;
• Provide activities and support a school environment that promotes high academic standards;
• Work together with fellow ASB members; fellow students; faculty; staff and administration to make Lathrop Intermediate School the best that it can be.

MEMBERSHIP OF STUDENT COUNCIL

• Article I.     Officers.
  The Officers of Lathrop Intermediate School ASB shall be: President; Vice President; Secretary; Treasurer.
  
• Article II.   Duties of Officers.
  President – 8th Grader: 
• Shall preside over meetings;
• Shall prepare a written agenda for all regular ASB meetings:
• Shall preside at assemblies;
• Coordinate activities in conjunction with ASB Advisor(s);
• To assist in the planning, set up and cleanup of all ASB events;
• Shall be the official representative for the student body of Lathrop Intermediate School; and
• Shall vote at meetings only in case of a tie.

Vice President – 7th or 8th Grader:

• Keep Rules of Order;
• Fulfill duties of President/any officer in his/her absence;
• To assist in the planning, set up and cleanup of all ASB events;
• Shall act as official host for ASB visitors; and
• Shall assume Presidency in case of a vacancy. 

Secretary – 7th or 8th Grader:

• Records minutes at all meetings;
• Publishes and distributes minutes at subsequent meetings;
• Takes and keeps official record of meeting attendance;
• Keeps a record of minutes;
• To assist in the planning, set up and cleanup of all ASB events;
• Turns over a copy of minutes for publication in the ASB record book; and
• Reads all incoming correspondence and at direction of ASB Advisor(s) corresponds with other Persons/Organizations. 

Treasurer – 7th or 8th Grader:

• Shall keep a record of all financial transactions made by ASB;
• To assist in the planning, set up and cleanup of all ASB events; and
• Shall provide a written report of all transactions at the Meeting to become an official part of the meeting’s Minutes.  

• Article III.  Council
  The Student Council shall consist of the elected officers, the Student Council Advisor(s) and representatives from each grade level who meet the selection requirements and sign and adhere to the code of conduct.

• Article IV.  Officer Election
• Elections for Lathrop Intermediate School Student Council officers shall be held annually;
• Each potential candidate will be responsible for picking up the by-laws, code of conduct, leadership evaluation, grade check and teacher recommendation forms as directed during morning announcements;
• Each potential candidate will be required to share this copy of the by-laws and code of conduct with their parents/guardians, who must sign the copy of the bylaws and the code of conduct allowing their child to run for office; Candidate Application must include a completed leadership evaluation,  grade check, and a teacher recommendation from two teaching faculty members. No faculty member shall sign more than one petition for each elected office.
• The potential candidate will return the required information within designated time;
• Those running for the office of president must have been active members of ASB during their sixth and seventh grade years
• Campaigning shall be permitted for the week leading up to Election Day. All campaign materials must be first approved by the Advisor(s). Negative campaigning or unapproved campaign materials will result in disqualification of the offending candidate for office. Distribution of stickers, candy, or other food items is strictly prohibited on the Intermediate School campus;
• A secret ballot election will be held. A committee consisting of at least three faculty/staff members will tally the results. The election committee will announce the results at the end of the next school day. Ties will result in a run-off election.

• Article V.   Eligibility for Office
  All candidates for office must:

• Maintain passing grades in all classes.
•  Be a model school citizen with no detentions for behavior over the course of the previous school year;
• Represent Lathrop Intermediate School community’s commitment to high standards of decorum; respect for ethnic, cultural, and racial diversity; and respect for local authority at all times.
  
• Article VI.  Student Council Standards
  All elected members of Lathrop Intermediate School ASB shall: 
• Meet and Maintain eligibility requirements during term of office;
• Serve as model representatives of Lathrop Intermediate School community;
• Attend all ASB meetings unless they interfere with academics (ie., tests, tutorial classes) in which case officer must notify Advisor(s) in writing prior to meeting; and
• Fulfill all responsibilities faithfully and impartially. 

• Article VII. Removal from Office
  A ASB member may be removed from the organization for neglect of duties or failure to maintain ASB Standards as defined in 

• Article VI. Neglect of Duties.

• In the event that a member neglects their ASB responsibilities; the ASB Advisor(s) will initially address the matter with the member and document meeting in writing with a copy to parent;
• If problem persists a meeting will be held on matter with member, Principal, Advisor, and parent/guardian;
• When above procedures have been followed and if the problem continues the member will be removed from the ASB, after the individual has been informed in writing. 
• Student Council/ASB Standards. 
• If a student fails to maintain ASB Standards he/she will be removed from ASB and a written letter forwarded to parents/guardians explaining removal from office;
• A parent/guardian may appeal removal by requesting meeting with Advisor(s) and Principal.

• Article VIII.   Selection of Class Representatives
  Selection for class representatives will be held three times during the course of the school year (at the end of the first six week grading period, at the end of the first semester and at the end of the second semester).
  Class representatives will meet the same eligibility requirements as members of ASB Officers.
  Selection Process.
• At the end of the first six week grading period, at the end of the first semester and at the end of the second semester the ASB officers and current representatives will address the Student Body about the responsibilities of a class representative;
• Officers and current representatives will distribute Applications (by-laws, code of conduct, leadership evaluation, grade check and teacher recommendation forms).
• All forms will be returned to ASB Advisor(s) by the designated date.
• Campaigning shall be permitted for the week leading up to Election Day. All campaign materials must be first approved by the Advisor(s). Negative campaigning or unapproved campaign materials will result in disqualification of the offending candidate for office.
• Following the secret ballot election, the Advisor(s) will count ballots; the results will be announced the next Monday.
• In case of a tie, a run-off election shall be held no later than five (5) school days after the original election. 

• Article IX:  Meeting Schedule
  • There shall be one meeting of the ASB officers and representatives held the weekly.
  • Additional and emergency business meetings of the ASB will be called as needed.

• Article X:   Student Council Meeting
  • All member of Student Council and all class representatives except the President, shall have voting rights.
  • The President votes only in the case of a tie.
  • All votes are subject to school rules and policies and must be approved by appropriate administrators.
  • The Student Council has only delegated powers. The Principal retains the power of Veto. The Student Council may appeal to the Principal. The Principal’s decisions are final.

• Article XI:  Student Council Fundraising
  Any monies raised by Student Council during a school year will be earmarked for specific purposes either prior to the event or before the last day of that school year.
  Usage of Student Council funds must be authorized by both the Advisor(s) and the Principal in writing before any money may be spent.
  

• Article XII: Student Council Vacancy
  • If an office is vacated during the school year for any reason, the office will be filled from within Student Council.
  • In case of such a vacancy, said vacancy will be announced at either a regular or special meeting.  At that time any member meeting requirements for office must express his/her interest in seeking said office.
  • A special meeting will be held with a week to vote to fill vacancy.  Each candidate will be given an opportunity to address the entire Student Council to solicit members support.
  • Following election speeches a secret ballot election will be held.  A committee consisting of at least three faculty/staff members will tally the results. The election committee will announce the results at the end of the next school day. Ties will result in a run-off election.
  • In the case of a vacancy for Official Campus Organizations Representatives, the organization will be responsible for filling the vacancy.

SAUSD Nondiscrimination Statement

The Santa Ana Unified School District is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying.

The District prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation and bullying based on actual or perceived race or ethnicity, gender/sex (including gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and pregnancy-related medical conditions) sexual orientation, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental status, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age (40 and above), genetic information, political belief or affiliation (not union related), a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, mental/physical disability, immigration status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance, or regulation in any program or activity it conducts or to which it provides significant assistance.

For inquiries about District policies and procedures related to student-to-student, student-to-staff and staff-to student harassment/discrimination, including how to file a harassment/discrimination complaint contact:

Human Resources

Dr. Hiacynth D. Martinez, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

UCP and Title IX Coordinator 

(714) 558-5860 

Compliance.officer@sausd.us