Board approves $128,332.55 cosmetology equipment purchase for armory training site

The Johnson County School Board approved a $128,332.55 purchase of cosmetology equipment intended for a cosmetology program to be housed at the armory, district staff said. The purchase was made by piggybacking on an existing University of Tennessee contract and will be paid through the Innovative Schools Model grant.

"This is for the cosmetology program that will be housed at the armory and paid through the innovative schools model grant," a district presenter said when introducing the item. Staff told the board the equipment package includes furnishings, washers, workstations and is sufficient for approximately 15 stations.

Board members discussed whether barbering would be included; staff explained TCAT does not offer barbering currently and that barber certification requires about 300 additional hours beyond the cosmetology curriculum. The item was approved by motion, second and a roll call vote with the present board members voting yes.

The board did not record additional contract details such as delivery timeline in the meeting minutes; staff said the equipment mirrors what local technical colleges use so students in the program will use compatible tools and workflows.