LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — An 11-year-old cosmetology school in North Las Vegas has shut down, leaving dozens of students and employees scrambling to determine their next steps.
The Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas closed after its owner, Denise Dixon, said she could no longer sustain the mounting debt from a legal battle with the state. The closure affects 122 students and eight employees, many of whom are working adults who relied on the school’s flexible hours and affordable tuition.
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A dream put on hold
Taliana Ferrignl, a student at the institute, a working mom, and the owner of a nail salon in Henderson, said she chose the school because it offered options other institutions did not.
“I picked this school mainly because of the tuition being very affordable for me,” Ferrignl said. “I felt like a lot of other schools didn’t support the hours and the qualifications that I needed.”
Ferrignl said the school’s scheduling was accommodating to her life. “So coming here and knowing that I could be a daytime student, a nighttime student, full-time, part-time, was really beneficial to me.”
Compliance issues and legal battle
According to Dixon, the issues began last fall when students reported they were unable to take their state board exams. When Dixon contacted the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, she was informed the school’s curriculum was not in compliance with state regulations.
Dixon hired legal representation, but after multiple hearings, the state board placed the school on probation. Dixon said she spent upwards of $200,000 trying to resolve the issues.
“This is my legacy,” Dixon said. “To have to be faced with closing my doors has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make.”
Dixon said she made the decision to close after reviewing the school’s finances. “After I ran the numbers and just really saw the debt that this was causing, I just made the decision that I couldn’t sustain it any longer,” she said.
What comes next for students
Dixon informed students of the closure last week. She said she is currently working with the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology to tally student credits and begin transferring students to other institutions. Dixon said refunds would be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Amber Candelaria, an attorney with Candelaria Law Group, said students have legal protections in this situation.
“Nevada does give students protections when a cosmetology school closes,” Candelaria said. “These schools are licensed and regulated under the state, and students have rights under the statutes and administrative codes.”
Ferrignl said she intends to complete her education elsewhere. “It was an honor to be able to come here and be a part of the school,” she said. “And I will be getting my license, even if it’s not from here. So, to all my other classmates, you know, I encourage you guys to do the same thing.”
There are currently no pending matters against the school before the state board.
Students seeking additional resources or information before enrolling in a Nevada trade school can visit the Commission on Postsecondary Education.
Nevada State Board of Cosmetology statement
The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology issued the following statement regarding the closure:
“The Nevada State Board of Cosmetology’s highest priority remains the health, safety and welfare of the public and the well-being of every student enrolled in licensed cosmetology schools within the State of Nevada. These responsibilities are interconnected, and each one supports the integrity and safety of the cosmetology profession and industry.
The Board made every effort to work collaboratively with the Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas over many years in keep the school open while bringing it into compliance with Nevada law. Throughout this process, the Board carefully weighed many factors before issuing only a disciplinary probation order, including what outcome would best support and protect the students and their ability to continue their education without disruption while keeping the school open and providing instruction.
Despite the Board’s diligent efforts to sustain the school’s operations and facilitate its return to compliance, the school chose to close its doors, not a decision by the Board.
Although this outcome is regrettable, the Board remains steadfast in its mission and in its commitment to enforcing the standards established under NRS and NAC Chapter 644A, thereby promoting safe, lawful, and high-quality cosmetology education and licensing throughout Nevada.”
— Molly O’Bryant, Board President; Steven McDonald, Esq., MBA, Executive Director
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