Council chiefs need to be more open and transparent with parents and staff about potential school closures in the region, a councillor has insisted.
Transforming the schools estate was discussed at the council’s education committee recently as a 500-plus page document was tabled on the issue.
It provided plenty of statistics and background information, but no clarity as yet on the future of the region’s 98 primary and 16 secondary schools.
There is uncertainty because many rural schools don’t fit into a new model being proposed, which will demand that schools must meet 10 new criteria including occupancy rates, travel distance and staffing levels.
With school rolls falling and buildings deteriorating, education bosses insist that this proposed new model is essential to “future proof the schools estate” and meet Scottish Government objectives.
However, Mid and Upper Nithsdale Councillor Jim Dempster has called on education chiefs conducting the review to be more upfront with those affected about possible consequences for their school.
Councillor Dempster said: “Instead of having some vague approach, if we’re deciding that schools should close – then we should be saying that.
“Not just leaving the threat.
“We need to be open and transparent with the public, and tell them exactly what we are proposing, and not have a salami-slicing arrangement with schools.”
It was reported recently that the new model put dozens of schools at risk of closure because their roll falls short of the minimum 60 percent capacity.
While it is still early stages and no decisions have been made, the potential for a series of closures could not be ruled out.
Larann Foss, the schools’ property manager with the council, produced the lengthy report which was presented to councillors at the education committee.
He said: “The press have focused in on a particular element, however there’s a list of things that will happen because of a school being identified in a position on that sustainability list.
“These are all different things that could take place. One of them, which was the focus from the media’s perspective, was the rationalisation through closure and amalgamation. That has to be a reality. That has to be an option for members’ consideration. There are a number of schools which fall into that category.
“What we are suggesting though, and particularly what will come forward in December, are options and choices around what the future looks like for those schools.”
Another report will be brought back to the education committee in December with more detail on potential changes. Councillors also agreed to attend a seminar for further explanation of the proposed school model process.
