The MBX foundation charges reasonable fees for Costa students to take classes over the summer and uses its profits for the betterment of student life.
MBX is an organization that runs a variety of educational programs throughout the Manhattan Beach Unified School District through funding from fees for specified services or donations. Currently, summer school for Mira Costa High School is run through MBX because the State of California does not directly fund summer school, rendering the district unable to offer summer school programs on its own.
As a result, MBX charges $250 for athletic and three-week summer school courses and $500 for six-week courses. Because summer school is not a requirement, these prices are extremely reasonable as they have not been changed in 10 years and the profits are used to benefit Costa.
According to MBX President of the Board Gary Wayland, out of the 1,100 students who enroll in summer school academics, the majority is trying to create space in its schedule for other classes in the upcoming year. Although taking summer school is a common way for students to gain extra credits and relieve their yearly class schedules, it is not a necessity, justifying the payment policy. Summer school is an academic opportunity for those students who voluntarily take summer courses on individual terms.
Wayland stated that currently there is no reduced rate for financially-impacted families; however, MBX does have a scholarship program for those students who are in the “free and reduced lunch” program at Mira Costa.
Athough mandating summer school fees is a necessity in order to keep the program running, MBX should consider creating reduced rates for students who demonstrate a financial need and for students who must retake a class over the summer. Even though a class may not be mandatory, it still provides many educational advantages for students; therefore, money should not be a factor in whether or not that student is able to make space in his or her schedule. It is in these specific cases that summer school should aim to level and equalize opportunities for all students, regardless of their financial capabilities.
According to Wayland, MBX’s summer school profits are used primarily for teachers’ salaries, renting school property and impactful improvements on the Costa campus. In the past, MBX has raised money to renovate the Fisher Gymnasium and put an artificial turf field in Waller Stadium. These advancements alone have enormously impacted the quality of Costa’s campus.
MBX plans on creating another turf field on the Meadows Avenue side of campus, after Measure BB construction is completed. Wayland also stated that when MBX has leftover profits, it will save its money until another project deems itself worthy of funding. Clearly, MBX has the student body in mind and has made a positive difference in the quality of campus life.
Without MBX, Costa would lack many of the modern changes that have been made on campus. Summer school is a primary profit maker for the organization, and the money made is used to improve Costa life. Because summer school is not necessarily required to graduate, and its profits go toward benefitting students, paying for summer school is reasonable. However, reduced rates should be an option for students who wish to take summer school but cannot afford it.
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