Board of trustees vote 4 to 2 to close child care center facilities at Meramec and Forest Park as of July 1, 2010

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UPDATED 11:44 p.m.

At approximately 9:30 pm, Thursday, Nov. 19, the STLCC Board of Trustees voted 4-2 in favor of closing the Child Care Center at both the Meramec and Forest Park campuses, effective July 1, 2010.

"We need to ask ourselves, 'is it the responsibility of the community college to provide day care service?'" said Robert Nelson, Board of Trustees member.

Nelson, who voted in favor of closing the Child Care Center, addressed the capacity audience more than 70, with standing room only, at the Cosand Center.

Joann Ordinachev, Denise Chachere, Melissa Hattman, and Robert Nelson all voted in favor of closing the centers, while Libby Fitzgeralrd and Margo McNeil voted to keep them open.

When the meeting began, supporters of the Child Care Center were given time to address the Board before Carla Chance, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Business Services, presented the administrations resolution on closing the Child Care Center.

While Chance stated that she "would not invest the colleges money in [Child Care Center] facilities because of their condition," she also said there was "no immediate health or inspection risk." Although both the Forest Park and Meramec facilities would soon be in need of repairs, according to Chance.

Charles Quincy Troupe, Alderman in the 1st ward of the City of St. Louis, was also in attendance to advocate for the center.

"I think that [closing the centers] is irresponsible, immoral and insensitive. I think it's wrong that they could sit here and allow Chancellor Harris to deny [parents] this service," said Troupe.

Troupe sent a letter to the Board of Trustees demanding that they provide documentation to the Board of Alderman concerning all Child Care Centers in the STLCC. Among the information requested was budget information, racial and ethnic composition, and cost per child of running the program.

The letter concludes that the Alderman shall 'remember this matter' when tax propositions related to STLCC are brought up, and when Board of Trustee members are up for re-election.

"I have three questions. Why? Why? Why?" said Doran Swanson, addressing the board.

Stay tuned for further video and updates.