by Megan Gordon

The Arizona Republic

September 17, 2008

Heads of manikins with new haircuts line the countertops of Cutting Edge Style Academy. As the teenage girls laugh and talk, they show their finished styles to the teacher.

The 240 students enrolled in the Peoria academy attend high school across the Valley as part of the Career and Technical Education program offered by the Western Maricopa Education Center.

A voter-approved district, West-MEC began its first educational year in fall 2003. There are 12 schools district within West-MEC, nine of them high school districts where West-MEC offers various classes.

The Cutting Edge Style Academy is the first school built by West-MEC. It opened in July at 7565 W. Peoria Ave.

"We're trying to change that image of what vocational education is," said West-MEC Superintendent Gregory Donovan. "We support quality courses with industry-current curriculum and equipment so that they (students) are qualified for entry-level positions and to pursue additional education in that career pathway."

Donovan has encountered some confusion about the way the district is run. In 1990, new state legislation allowed public school districts to join together to support Career and Technical Education programs. In 2002, voters in member districts approved the creation of West-MEC.

"We were formed the same way as every other school district," said Donovan, who reports to a seven-member governing board. "But in this case, our district is relatively newer."

Last year, West-MEC had 21,000 students taking classes at 39 high schools and three community colleges. About 700 Career and Technical Education classes are offered across those sites.

Like most school districts, West-MEC is funded by an average daily membership of students and a secondary tax rate. But unlike regular school boards, the West-MEC board cannot change the tax rate. The secondary tax rate is 10 percent of a home's primary assessed value. Taxpayers within West-MEC's's boundaries pay 5 cents for every $100 of assessed value, or $10 for a home worth $200,000.

That money helped build the cosmetology school equipped with a computer lab, classrooms, salon stations and massage beds. There is an extra tuition of $1,200 per year for the school to help cover the cost of supplies, books and kits that include manikins, scissors and other items. Students from across the West Valley come to take the class and must provide their own transportation.

"Even through I have to drive here, I though it was a great opportunity to finish high school and have this done," said Meredith Crossley, 16, a junior at Verrado High School in Buckeye. "My plan has always been go to college for business marketing and then open my own salon. Now I'll have my license and still go to college while working at a nice salon."

After completing 1,600 hours of training over the two-year course, students can take the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology exam and become certified. Grading is strict, and students must maintain an 80 percent grade to stay enrolled, said Kim Garcia, Cutting Edge Style Academy program manager. The school grades students not only on theory tests and practical experience, but also on their appearance and professionalism.

"I'm really into self-expression and they let us express ourselves here. I always go all out and I feel like being a hairstylist will let me do that," said Chelsea Foglio, 17, a senior at Centennial High School in Peoria. "I just love prettiness and beauty. It's awesome."

Foglio is graduating next spring, so she will only complete half the program. Ashley Hunter, a senior at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, decided to postpone her graduation until next year.

"I'm only taking one class this year at the high school and then one class next year. Then I'll be done," Hunter said, while taking a break from cutting her manikin's hair.

"At first, I didn't think it would matter, but I'm pretty sure once it gets closer to graduation, it will be pretty hard," she added. "Most of my senior friends are sad that I'm not going to be graduating with them, but they think what I'm doing is cool."