CHARLEROI - Pittsburgh Beauty Academy is not officially closing its doors, but officials at its branches are helping students who want to transfer.
Classes were canceled Monday when the seven-member staff walked out after their first paychecks since March 28 bounced.
PBA operates schools in Charleroi, Pittsburgh, New Kensington and Greensburg.
On Tuesday, PBA President Arthur DeConceliis said he felt bad about the situation and promised payroll checks would be issued Wednesday.
Students went back to the Charleroi site today, expecting classes to resume. But teachers were still off the job awaiting paychecks.
Janet Hamilton, of Washington, a student at the Charleroi site, said instructors told her they had not been paid.
PBA officials were meeting with students individually today. They were being told that PBA was not closing, but the school would help anyone who wished to transfer.
Hamilton said the students understand the teachers' plight.
Student transcripts were being released to those who want to transfer.
DeConceliis was not in his Pittsburgh office this morning, a woman answering the telephone at the PBA main office said.
Student Lori Puskas, of Marianna, said the Charleroi school often is in need of supplies for students to work on clients. Some client appointments were canceled because of short supplies, she said.
"This school is operating by the skin of its teeth," Puskas said.
Puskas said she was scheduled to complete her studies within the month. She said her future, like that of the students at the PBA's four schools, is in doubt.
"We're stuck here," Puskas said. "We're in limbo."
As students pondered their futures, a telling sign remained on the entrance to the Charleroi PBA location. The sign read: "Closed."
