Menzieshill High School should close, government inspectors have said.
The call, echoed in a report by Dundee City Council, would radically affect the education of hundreds of children.
Education Scotland said that closing Menzieshill High School would bring “educational benefits” to pupils.
The SNP administration is now expected to rubber stamp the closure on June 22, despite the opposition of city residents.
The inspectors’ report (PDF link), released today, said: “Overall, Dundee City Council’s proposal to close Menzieshill High School and make associated amendments to the catchment areas of Morgan Academy and Baldragon Academy from August 2016 has a number of overall educational benefits.”
The inspectors’ report acknowledged that parents of pupils at Menzieshill “thought secondary education would be better delivered on (the current school site)” and opposed the closure.
However, inspectors added that most pupils and teachers seemed enthusiastic for the move.
Stakeholders have “reasonable concerns”, the report concludes, and Dundee City Council must work to address those before it makes a final decision on the school’s closure.
The inspectors’ report comes after campaigners claimed the council had already decided to close the school.
Rumours spread that plans were already afoot to develop a new use for the under-threat Menzieshill High.
But SNP education convener Stewart Hunter denied the claims, which he branded an attempt by his Labour counterpart to “frighten parents”.
Talking before the inspectors’ recommendation was released, Mr Hunter said that Labour’s education spokesman Laurie Bidwell should apologise or be “considering his position” after the rumours emerged at a public meeting on the school’s future.
The Strathmartine councillor told The Courier: “Mr Bidwell is trying to frighten parents with rumours which he must know are not true and are totally without foundation.
“I have a habit of calling on Mr Bidwell to apologise, but in this case it really is something he should seriously consider.
“If he doesn’t apologise to the parents he has scared in 24 hours then he should be considering his position as Labour’s education spokesperson.
“I will also be talking about hisbehaviour with the chief executive and director of legal services as it is totally unacceptable.”
Mr Bidwell said he welcomed the denial by Mr Hunter but hopes that he sticks to his promises.
It had been suggested that pupils from Hillside and Gowriehill primary schools would find new premises at Menzieshill High School.
Mr Bidwell said: “I am sure parents, carers, pupils and teachers connected with Menzieshill High School are keen to read the reports by the city council and Education Scotland in response to the consultation on the proposedclosure of Menzieshill High School.
“Folk who objected to the proposed closure of their high school will behoping their voices have been heard and heeded.
“I am pleased earlier information I had received that suggested moves were afoot to arrange an early merger ofHillside and Gowriehill Primary School and then move them into the Menzieshill High School site in August 2016 have been denied by Stewart Hunter.
“I hope this means Mr Hunter retains the commitment he gave to parents and carers at the public consultation meetings that the SNP majority group of councillors in the city are a listening council.
“We need to maintain a focus on what is best for the children and young people in our primary and secondary schools in Menzieshill and not just what will return a short-term saving.”
For more on ths story, see Friday’s Courier.