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: 12-1-04

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

Distribution of Senate Day pins with explanation, First Class Bill,

Discussion

of Substitute Bills from 1991 and 1994

Minutes from Meeting: 11-17-04

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. The senate email list is being passed around again

V. Committee Reports

Ad-Hoc 1. Last meeting Friday before school to hang up posters

Climate 1. Discussed up and coming bills

Policy 1. Met and did not discuss anything

Communications1. Apologies for confusion surrounding Tues. meeting

Executive 1. Met briefly to discuss Senate Day

VI. Open Comments

a. Senator Colarousso says that since LHS is a publicly-

owned place, we may be able to charge littering fees

VII. Discussion of Dr. Jones' veto time for GPA Bill

a. Although Dr. Jones does not presently disagree with

the bill, he needs more time to find more data ensuring

that the bill will not place anyone at a

disadvantage

b. It would be better to come to a consensus where the

two opposing sides would be satisfied

c. Dr. Jones must also make sure that this will not affect

LHS students' college admission processes

d. Once the bill is passed, there will be a stream of

protest and expression so the senate must be prepared

to present data before the School Committee

e. If the bill were to be implemented right now,

adversaries would form; minority disadvantaged

f. Dr. Jones would like until at least mid-January to veto

Motion Motion by Senator Kafrissen to give Dr. Jones until January

15th to veto the Weighted GPA Bill

g. If we pass this bill, all information must be

disseminated to the student body

h. Senate can share responsibility in making sure

that college admission will not be affected

i. It is reasonable to extend the veto time because

even teachers and students are still processing the bill

j. It would be helpful to survey surrounding schools to

learn of their GPA procedures

k. The veto process needs to be given an adequate

amount of time so that it can be done right

Vote: Motion Passes

VIII. Discussion of Senate Day

a. Instead of wearing sashes, all senators will wear

navy blue baseball caps with attached "senator" pins

for senate day (Dec. 8th) and also the Tues. before

b. It has been helpful to spread information about what

senate has accomplished in recent years (hand bills)

c. Confusion is expressed as to who pays for senate

day food; senate once got businesses to sponsor it

d. It would be neat if senators wore purple togas

IX. Discussion of Straw Votes

a. There is no outline of a straw vote in Robert's Rules

so it is therefore unconstitutional

b. A straw vote is a debate killer and intimidates the

minority into not speaking

c. Does it say anywhere in Robert's Rules that because

something is not in the Rules, it is

unconstitutional?

d. Discussion can still be conducted after a straw vote;

we do not have to call to question directly afterwards

e. A bill will be called to question once the majority

realizes it is the majority after a straw vote

f. Straw votes could be taken before the question is called

and are also not always accurate

g. The fact that straw votes are not in Robert's Rules

blatantly contradicts our following of the Rules

h. support is expressed for our Parliamentarian and

his assertion that straw votes are not in the Rules

i. straw votes are a cowardly way of ending debate;

it is important that all opinions be able to be voiced

j. Debate should be able to run its course

k. What exactly are Robert's Rules?; they determine the

senate's procedures

l. It is unwise to have a loose view of Robert's Rules

Motion Motion by Senator Colarouso to change senator to

"Supreme Exalted One"

Motion Withdrawn by Senator Colarouso

m. Straw votes lessen the educational value of debate

List of Senators Absent from Senate meeting

*Denotes excused/notified absence.

Metzger-Traber Choi Bond* Lubershane* Harper* Collins*