Vocational school says it’ll keep open despite problems

Jennifer Knight

Wednesday, June 26, 2002 | 9:58 a.m.

A two-year vocational school that trains medical assistants and massage therapists has laid off some of its staff and stopped enrolling new students after losing eligibility for federal financial aid.

The Academy of Medical and Business Careers, which has two locations in Las Vegas, announced the changes Tuesday.

Despite assurances by administrators that the school's doors will not close, several teachers have reportedly walked off the job, leaving students to wonder whether they will be able to finish their education.

"Two of our best teachers have already left," said Giselle Tanasi, a medical assistant student attending classes at the school's 2080 E. Flamingo Road location. "We have gone to a couple of classes and there was no one there."

Nina Daniels, another medical assistant student, was also concerned.

"I quit my job to come to school here," said Daniels, who said she owes $9,000 for her education at the school. "I'm going to get stuck with the bill and only have half of an education."

Judy Vrubley, a lab teacher, said she plans to leave the school soon as a result of the problems.

"I came in here and said nobody is here, where is everybody?" Vrubley said. "Management has told the teachers nothing. They have not been honest with us. It is not a stable work environment."

Val Herrera, the school's director, said that staff size had been reduced and the school had willingly opted out of the federally funded Title IV student aid program. He said there were no problems otherwise.

"The academy is not having any financial difficulties," Herrera said. "The school is fine. It isn't closing. I haven't lost any teachers. I have classes full of teachers and full of students."

At the Flamingo Road location, four administrators and two lab assistants were let go from the 186-student campus. Herrera would not say how many staff members were let go from the larger campus at 901 Rancho Lane, or how many students attended.

According to Brenda Darlow, the academy's director of continuing education, the schools' financial problems stem from not having enough cash-paying students.

Schools participating in the Title IV program can only have up to 90 percent of their students on financial aid, Darlow said.

All three programs at the academy -- billing, medical assistance and massage therapy -- are affected, Darlow said. Students who are not too far into their six to nine-month education will get a reduction in tuition and those who are near completion will not, Darlow said.

Student Victoria Moore said she was left without answers on Tuesday about where her loan money was.

"When I called the office, there was no one there to help me," Moore said. "I'm still going to owe that loan money even though I don't have it."

The Commission on Postsecondary Education issued a news release Tuesday saying it is working to teach all of the students who are enrolled. The commission stepped in last year when Computer Learning Centers closed its doors due to financial problems and helped arrange for another company to take over.

The academy's problems are not as serious, though, said David Perlman, the commission's administrator.

"This one is really a no-brainer for us," Perlman said. "They are doing what they said they would do and we will help them however we can."