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The School Council originated in the second half of the 2005-2006 school year. Students were invited from the Student Council to sit on the Leadership Team of the school. Because the Leadership Team spent a good bit of time on Staff Development and other issues not germaine to whole school change, this model was disbanded.
In the 2006-2007 School Year, at the urging of the president and vice president of the Student Council, the School Council was formed and began its work. The School Council consists of 10 faculty members (at this point they are team leaders and one administrator who is not the principal), and 10 students. The first year, six of those students were appointed by the Student Council and four were elected by the student body, one from each class. This year, there are two representatives from each class and two from the Student Council. Elections were held like state or national elections. Students who completed an essay could run. Campaigns were held, and the election was held on a school day where students could vote before school, after school or during study halls or lunch. A special assembly (such as is normal with class elections) was not held.
The School Council met for the first time on October 17, and meets once a month for an hour and a half. It elects co-chairs (a faculty member and a student). The Council hears proposals for change from any constituent in the school, although the sponsor must sign the proposal or it must be submitted by a School Council Member. The Council does not have to maintain the integrity of the proposal and may choose to move in a different direction from the original proposal. To pass, a proposal or motion must have 60 percent of the vote. Therefore, if there is a full quorum of 20, 12 votes are needed for a proposal to pass.
Some of the proposals that have been begun to change the culture of the school are:
A Senior Internship Program for two weeks in the spring.
Expanded Study Hall privileges for seniors.
Wireless Internet Access in the Library for all.
The same application of the cell phone policy to teachers as well as students.
Meetings are open to all members of the school community and people in attendance may speak, however they do not vote.