PRO: Postponement of NHS meetings is fair

By Maddie Nerad
Opinion Editor

The hiatus of Mira Costa’s National Honor Society chapter, due to the Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers’ Association’s response to ongoing contract negotiations, is reasonable and should be supported by students.

The NHS organization requires an advisor to oversee meetings, financial transactions and large-scale fundraisers, all of which was previously done voluntarily by English teacher Nicole Wachell. Without the execution of these tasks, NHS members were unable to carry out the functions of the organization.

While it is an unfair scenario for NHS members, especially because seniors were not eligible for NHS scholarships, Wachell and MBUTA as a whole feel that the union’s actions are necessary for teachers to gain fair compensation for their work. In the past, MBUTA’s actions have been successful, and it is, therefore, justifiable for teachers to believe that withholding organizational meetings will yield successful results.

According to Wachell, it is ultimately up to the students to advocate for their interests to the Manhattan Beach Unified School District in order for NHS meetings to resume. Students should use this as an opportunity to educate themselves on the negotiations between MBUTA and MBUSD. While the cancellation of these meetings is unfortunate, as leaders, members of NHS should be taking action by either speaking out in support of teacher volunteers or organizing meetings independently to continue to meet NHS expectations of service.

Traditionally, students have had to complete 10 hours of community service, pay yearly dues and participate in NHS-organized projects and fundraisers in order to maintain their memberships, but without an advisor and monthly meetings, students have been unable to fulfill these requirements. Therefore, it is impossible to know if seniors would have successfully completed the requirements to be eligible for recognition at graduation. Although they were not given the opportunity, it is reasonable that NHS members should not receive recognition and be rewarded for tasks they did not complete.

According to Wachell, she will not order NHS honor cords and diploma seals until negotiations are resolved because it causes her to work outside of her contract. While many students are concerned that they may not receive the cords and seals at graduation because meetings have not taken place, and they have not been able to pay their dues, this concern is unnecessary because Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale stated that he will order them if necessary.

Students should be less concerned with these tangible indications of their success and focus on representing the core values of the program, which include leadership, service, scholarship and character. Whether or not students receive cords and seals at graduation does not diminish that they are still distinguished members of NHS. Fortunately, seniors were still recognized as active NHS members by colleges.

Students should be understanding of Wachell’s decision to cancel and postpone meetings until negotiations are settled, as MBUTA feels it is a necessary step in establishing fair treatment for teachers.