Beauty School Owner Tells Her Side Of The Story

On Wednesday, when a Highlands Today reporter was writing about the complaints of four cosmetology students, Patty Galdamez and Ron Laverty said they were advised by an attorney not to answer questions.

On Thursday, however, Galdamez and Pedro Perez decided to tell their side of the story about Bradenton Beauty and Barber Academy, 135 U.S. 27 N.

Students were not locked out of the Sebring school, said Galdamez, the CEO and owner of the school. She said Tropical Storm Hannah, which visited Florida's east coast on the way to making landfall in South Carolina during the first week of September, flooded the front door and the shampoo room on a Sunday and Monday, which are days when students don't normally attend.

Student Holly Kuschke complained there aren't enough work stations. Perez, who handles marketing and public relations for the school, said students have different schedules, and share work space. There is enough work space for each student, he said.

Student Johnathan Freeman complained that he was promised more one-on-one contact with instructors. Freeman was not promised personal instruction, Galdamez said, and countered that the school has a student-teacher ratio of about 22 or 26 to one, which she finds sufficient.

Freeman and three other students said they were given the answers prior to tests. Those weren't answers, Perez said, they were review materials for tests.

Students also complained they weren't given books and instructional materials. No, Galdamez said, they were given books, if they paid their tuition and fees, which run about $12,000 for a 1,500-hour course.

Kuschke also complained she was given the wrong scissors, which caused scabs on her hands. Galdamez said Kuschke's scabs came because she works in construction. Students were given complete kits, and the scissors can be used for cutting human hair, not just mannequins, Galdamez said.

Student Natalie Santiago complained that instructors change almost daily, and at one point there was no instructor for two weeks. Galdamez said Santiago is referring to Stephanie Black, a teacher who left. There were two instructors in the school, and at no time was there two weeks of classes without an instructor.

Tom Butler, a press representative for Commission for Independent Education, confirmed that the academy was investigated for complaints this summer. The complaints were unfounded.

Galdamez said she bought Sebring School of Hair Design after that investigation.

The academy is not licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which licenses and regulates cosmetologists. However, said FDBPR spokeswoman Jenn Meale, the academy is not required to be licensed by her agency. It is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, which it is.

Perez faxed additional documents which proved the academy was accepted by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences, in Alexandria, Va., which accredits the academy to teach cosmetology, barbering, basic cosmetology, full specialist, teacher training, facial specialist and manicure specialist.

Galdamez agreed with the FDBPR that the academy is not an approved provider of "continuing education," but maintained that students who attend her academy will be qualified to take tests and become licensed cosmetologists. Meale confirmed Galdamez's statement.

However, Meale added, students with complaints about the academy should contact the Commission for Independent Education in Tallahassee at 850-245-3200.