Customers of Cape Girardeau Sylvan Learning Center will receive refunds, former owner says

Customers of the Cape Girardeau Sylvan Learning Center that closed May 21 will receive refunds, owner Jack Stanley of Columbia, Mo., said in a news release Tuesday.

Stanley, who operated nine other Sylvan tutoring centers in Missouri, Arkansas and Illinois, said he has issued more than $60,000 in refunds to customers. However, as a franchisee Stanley owes more than $400,000 to Sylvan Learning Inc.

"It is certainly true that we owe Sylvan money, in addition to other creditors, relating to the operations of 10 centers throughout the Midwest," Stanley said. "It's unfortunate, but it isn't uncommon to be in that situation when you have a business that isn't profitable."

Stanley said customers will be repaid before Sylvan Learning Inc. He said while he has already refunded customers some money, more funds are being processed as they become available and his assets are sold. Sales of the centers in Washington, Mo., and Jonesboro, Ark., are pending, though Stanley also has other assets.

Other centers Stanley owned include locations in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and Farmington, Mo. His remaining four franchises closed May 31. The Cape Girardeau location had been open since 1994.

"Repaying all of our creditors, including Sylvan, is something that is important to me," Stanley said.

Sylvan Learning Inc. spokeswoman Jennifer Gaegler said the company believes Stanley has the resources to meet his repayment obligations.

Gaegler said that when a Sylvan Learning Center closes, the company and area franchisees work to identify other educational options for families.

Families in Cape Girardeau have two options, she said.

First, they can arrange for their children to continue the same educational program by transferring to one of the neighboring Sylvan Learning Centers. The center closest to Cape Girardeau is in Carterville, Ill. The center may be contacted by calling 618-985-4519.

Second, families can also choose to receive the Sylvan reading and math programs online. Students communicate with the teacher through a headset.

If those options fail to meet a family's needs, Gaegler advised them to contact Stanley at 573-875-8631.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

107 West Drive, Suite A, Cape Girardeau, MO