Lexington (MA) High School Senate

LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-FACULTY SENATE

2004-2005

Moderator Ben Skier, Assistant Moderator Jim Williams, Secretary Lexy Smith

<http://lhs.lexingtonma.org/senate>

TODAY'S DATE: 10-06-04

Today's Agenda: Announcements, Committee Reports, Open Comments,

Card Playing Bill, New Business

Minutes from Meeting: 09-29-04

I. Call to Order

Meeting is called to order at 7:49 by Moderator Skier

II. Approval of Minutes

Motion Approved Motion by Chair to approve Minutes of last meeting

III. Approval of Agenda

Motion Approved Motion by Chair to approve Agenda

IV. Announcements

a. There are currently technical difficulties with the

announcement distribution and it is pointed out that one person has to

be in charge of this and put his/her name on the announcements

b. It is pointed out that Senator Peter Kim is in charge of

these announcements but there is still confusion as to how one would

post an announcement

c. The Senate attendance policy is read by Secretary Smith

V. Committee Reports

Oversight 1. Now looking for bills that are no longer relevant or

effective

2. Appointed committee members to check bathrooms weekly

to ensure there is always soap available

Elections 1. Freshman elections are in full swing but there are

currently not enough candidates and considering the recent web site

glitches, Senator Girondel hopes to postpone the elections until

October 12th or 14th

2. There will have to be a school-wide upper-classmen only

school committee post election

Climate 1. It met last week to discuss and work on the

new Card Playing Bill

Executive 1. Met with Dr. Jones and discussed the students

activities contract, which is presently not in effect

VI. Open Comments

a. Senator Enders encourages the Communications Committee to

inform the student body that the student-activities contract is not

presently in effect, as it is on hold

VII. Executive Appointment of Parliamentarian

a. The position of the Parliamentarian is explained; the

parliamentarian's job is a senate advisory position

Motion Motion by Senator Buttaro

To appoint Senator Richardson as senate's acting Parliamentarian

Vote: Motion passes unanimously

VIII. Card Playing Bill

a. It is pointed out that because the bill was distributed

late, senate must have 2/3 majority vote allowing

discussion

b. It is suggested that if the bill is discussed, senate should

refrain from voting on it until the administration is

aware; sentiment expressed that the bill is premature

Motion Motion made by Senator Enders to discuss the bill

Vote: Motion passes with a 2/3 majority vote

c. It is suggested that the administration allow students

to enforce this themselves without a formal policy

d. The bill is redundant because students already know

that gambling is illegal

e. Card playing is relaxing for many and reduces stress

f. It is unfair to crack down on card playing when it

has nothing to do with kids being late

g. It is suggested that the writers of the bill go back to

the administration to talk about why the policy was

first made

h. There was no discussion of rule before it was put out

i. A student lounge could be created where kids could

play cards; many other high schools have these

j. Administration should make an argument as to why

card playing should not be allowed in school

k. It places study hall teachers in an unfair position to

make him/her decided whether cards are allowed in

his/her study

l. Kids who are always late to class have other issues

besides card playing; cards should not be

scapegoats

m. Communications is encouraged to inform the school

of the bill and its current discussion

List of Senators Absent from Senate meeting

*Denotes excused/notified absence.

Kim Metzger-Traber