CLARKSVILLE – Clinton-Massie High School could potentially host the 2017 Ohio Association of Student Councils annual conference.

Mary Baldwin, student council president, and Josh Gibson, student council vice president, went before the Clinton-Massie school board Monday night to ask for the board’s support in hosting the conference.

The student council leaders asked the board for building space and for the school to close one day for the conference, which is typically at the end of April every year.

The conference, Gibson said, is hosted to conduct annual business for the organization. In addition to elections of student and adult executives in the organization, there will also be keynote speakers and leadership activities for the students to participate in.

Baldwin and Gibson said there are many benefits both for the community and for the school district hosting the conference. Students from all around Ohio would come to Clinton County for the two-day event, Baldwin said, and bring in tourism dollars.

“We will be using local establishments to provide lunch on Friday and dinner on Saturday,” she said.

There are also many benefits to student council members, Baldwin and Gibson said.

During the conference, advisers stay in hotels while students stay with host families. Staying with host families helps the students learn more about other kids their age and form relationships with youths from all around the state, Gibson said.

“It will build and develop leadership skills,” Baldwin said. “It also presents members with the opportunity to reach out to the community.”

Gibson said after he attended last year’s conference, he left with new friends that he keeps in touch with today.

To be able to host the conference, the student council will need $5,000, but Baldwin and Gibson said they plan on doing fundraising with the student council to afford the conference. The student council would need permission from the school board to use the school.

The proposed dates for the conference are April 27-29, 2017.

Gibson also asked the board to make April 26, 2017 an early-release day so the student council will have time to set up everything needed for the conference.

Superintendent David F. Baits said the board is “behind the idea 100 percent.”

“We think it’s a great opportunity for our kids,” he said.

Reach Dylanne Petros at 937-382-2574, ext. 2514, or on Twitter @DylannePetros.