Enterprise City Schools board awards cosmetology program contract, partners with community college

The Enterprise City Schools board voted to award the cosmetology program construction contract to JMB Services and approved an education partnership to run the program.

A staff member told the board that two sealed bids were received and JMB Services was the lowest overall. "It is Dr. Thomas's recommendation that you approve the bid award to JMB Services for the cosmetology project," the staff member said. The Chair then called for and completed a vote to approve the bid (tally not specified).

Board members asked about the project timeline and certification for students. The staff member said the goal is completion by December 2026, with an opening in January 2027, and noted the board had approved equipment purchases for the facility in prior meetings. On the program model, the staff member said the project is a partnership with Enterprise State Community College: the college will provide the instructor and students will be able to enroll for short certificates and associate degrees while the district provides the facility and equipment. "So these courses will actually enroll at Enterprise State, and Enterprise State is providing us the instructor," the staff member said. The staff member added that students would still be expected to take any required state licensure exam.

The board did not record vote tallies in the transcript. The staff member framed the arrangement as a dual benefit: district-provided facilities and college-provided instruction to allow students to earn credentials tied to industry licensure requirements.

The board moved to the next items after approving the cosmetology project; the staff member said the district expects the space to be ready for students after the planned construction timeline.

The Chair closed the item and the board continued with consent-agenda business.