ST. LOUIS When children enter one of 10 city schools even when classes are not in session, community education supporters want them and even their parents and neighbors to find a hub of activities, support and resources for more than just academic needs.

For decades, a long-standing program in the St. Louis Public Schools has provided that, offering programs ranging from academic tutoring to dental exams to aerobics classes. But money for the effort, called Community Education Full Service Schools, has dwindled from about $1.2 million to $500,000.

It's unclear exactly how the cuts will play out in the next few weeks, but without funding for full-time staff at all of the centers, five could close, officials say. The district recently notified four full-time staffers that their jobs had been cut.

Typically, the centers remain open during the summer, but as of last week, just those at Vashon High, Walbridge elementary, Clay elementary and Yeatman-Liddell middle schools were to continue offering services during June and July.

More than a dozen people told the district's Special Administrative Board this month that they fear that without additional funding, beneficial programs and services through the community education centers will be dismantled.

"It just provides so many things to so many people," said Rachel Delcau, who is on the council at the Bevo-Long Community Education center.

At the meeting, a teenage girl said she repeatedly got in trouble at school for fighting and being disruptive, but that changed when she started attending the after-school program at Bevo-Long. Now, she attends Carnahan High School but continues to return to Bevo-Long to volunteer.

Sherry Parris, 41, said she was depressed and had given up hope of getting her GED until her pastor told her about classes at the community education center at Clay elementary.

"In other classes, I got frustrated and left. Now, I see that I can learn," said Parris, who passed the test and is now taking community college classes to become a dental hygienist. "There was a love and a passion for students there."

St. Louis Public Schools has matched the city's funds for the program, which began in 1968.

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St. Louis schools may close community resource centers