District reports multiple bids for cosmetology/barber CTE pathways; vendor recommendation planned for May 12

Staff updated the board on career and technical education procurement for cosmetology and barbering pathways. The review committee received multiple proposals and is using a 3-to-5 scoring rubric to evaluate vendors.

"We did have 3 bids for the cosmetology service: Empire Beauty Academy, Roberts Beauty Academy, and Tricoci University," the presenter said, and added that the committee plans to bring a recommended vendor to the May 12 board meeting for consideration as an information item and to seek formal action in June so the program can start in August.

Board members asked for employment outcomes and completion rates for prospective vendors. Staff said job-placement metrics and historical completion/dropout numbers are not yet part of the scoring rubric but agreed to collect employment-outcome data and return it in a future update. Staff emphasized program design changes are intended to address past completion problems (students failing to meet required licensure hours) and to require clearer student commitments and kit-return policies if students drop out.

Next steps: staff will continue the vendor review process, gather job-outcome and dropout data for recommended vendors, and present a vendor recommendation to the board in May followed by a vote in June.