Students unhappy with St. Louis college day care decision

ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Community College trustees have voted to close day care centers on two campuses that serve the children of students.

Outraged students who depend on the service argued against the cut at a meeting Thursday night. The move to take effect next July at the Meramec and Forest Park campuses will save $529,000.

The college has said it needs to cut $1 million to balance the budget.

The college told KTVI only 200 students of the 28,000 in the system use the centers, and it can't justify the cost.

Some students said they will have to drop out of school because other options are too expensive or inconvenient. The centers charge students $4 an hour.

The child care center on the Florissant Valley campus will not close because it is a teaching facility.