Child care program could be cut at St. Louis Community College

By Sharon Stevens, Education Reporter

KSDK -- St. Louis Community College needs to cut at least $1 million and administrators are considering closing two campus child-care centers, located on the Forest Park and Meramec campuses, in order to save money.

When mother Ann Kirkendall goes to class, she leaves her two children at the child care center on the Meramec campus of St. Louis Community College. If the center is closed, Kirkendall says she'll have to drop out.

"In order for me to send my kids to a regular daycare, I would have to un-enroll them and then re-enroll them next semester and it's just not affordable for me," Kirkendall said.

Officials say 200 out of 28,000 students use the child care facilities. They pay about $4 an hour to keep their kids there; staff members pay $5 an hour.

The system picks up most of the cost: $790,000 annually.

Officials the child care center program is a money loser. Community colleges traditionally have an older student body, many of whom have children. College officials make it clear that the child care centers are not the only things under consideration. The athletics department, programs, personal, all of these things are under review as well.

The final decision will be made by the Board of Trustees.

The Florissant Valley campus also has a child care center, but officials say it will remain open and is no danger of being placed on the possible reduction list. That's because the Florissant campus has a dedicated student-teacher program connected with the child care center.