Paier College's Unpaid Bills Spark Concerns Among Local Businesses and Students

The I-Team's investigation has uncovered a troubling situation at Paier College, where the school's unpaid bills have left local businesses and students in a precarious position. As the college faces potential closure, the ripple effects are being felt throughout the community, raising questions about the future of art education in the region.

Unpaid Bills and Uncertain Futures

Businesses Left in the Lurch

The I-Team's initial report revealed that a state investigation found Paier College unable to reopen this fall, in part due to unpaid bills. This has had a significant impact on local businesses that have partnered with the college, such as Hull's Art Supply & Framing in New Haven.For years, Hull's Art Supply has provided supplies to Paier College, with professors ordering materials online and the store delivering them directly to the classrooms. This partnership has been a reliable source of revenue for the business. However, with Paier College's closure, that revenue stream has dried up, leaving Szirbik, the owner of Hull's Art Supply, owed thousands of dollars."We did kit business with them. Professors would decide what they wanted. They would just have to order it online and we'd deliver it right to the classroom," Szirbik said. "Those tens of thousands of dollars worth of revenue for Hull's are now gone since Paier hasn't opened for the fall semester."The state investigation also uncovered other unpaid bills, including one to a security company. Szirbik says he, too, has outstanding bills from Paier College, with more than $4,400 owed for easels and other supplies. Despite his efforts to collect the money, Szirbik has been met with a discouraging response."I billed them at the end of the semester like I normally do and never got paid," Szirbik said. "The last email I got says 'it's out of my hands' from the guy that writes the checks."

Professors and Students Left in Limbo

Szirbik's concerns extend beyond his own business interests. He is also worried about the professors he knows who say they are owed money by Paier College. The potential closure of the institution could have a significant impact on these educators, who may be left without the compensation they have rightfully earned.Moreover, Szirbik is concerned about the future of art education in Connecticut. Paier College has long been an affordable option for students interested in pursuing fine arts, particularly those who may not have been able to afford the tuition at more prestigious institutions like Yale or Quinnipiac."Not everybody can get into Yale. Quinnipiac is expensive. This was an affordable place for kids that were really good at art and the other academics didn't matter as much," Szirbik said.The potential closure of Paier College could force many aspiring artists to look outside of Connecticut for their education, a prospect that Szirbik finds troubling. He hopes that despite the current challenges, students will continue to come to New Haven to access the tools and supplies they need to nurture their creative passions.

Paier College's Response and the Path Forward

Paier College's leadership has not responded to multiple requests for comment from the I-Team. However, the college's president did email students, stating that they plan to appeal the state's decision to keep the school closed.As the situation continues to unfold, the impact on local businesses, professors, and students remains uncertain. The I-Team's investigation has shed light on the complex web of unpaid bills and the potential consequences for the broader community. The future of Paier College and the art education landscape in Connecticut hangs in the balance, leaving many stakeholders anxiously awaiting the resolution of this ongoing saga.