A court date has been set in a battle to save a Carse of Gowrie school after Perth and Kinross Council launched a legal challenge against the Scottish Government.
Angry parents at Abernyte Primary claim they have been left “in limbo” after a case between the local authority and Scottish ministers was scheduled for February 3 2020.
The council controversially decided to close Abernyte Primary in May this year but Scottish ministers called in the decision after a request from the parent council.
The shutdown was referred to the School Closure Review Panel with a decision on whether to overturn the outcome expected to be made by September 17.
However, in August the review was put on hold after the local authority began legal proceedings to defend its decision.
Abernyte Parent Council chairman Gerard McGoldrick said the lengthy delays have left the school “in limbo”.
Mr McGoldrick said: “I’m quite disgusted with the amount of time it’s taken.
“It almost feels like it’s intentional by the council to try and frustrate the school roll in the way that it’s been growing and the way it is expected to grow. We’re stuck in limbo.”
Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey said: “It’s very unfortunate that we have come to a situation where two public bodies are turning to the courts to settle their differences but the issue at stake here is a significant one.
“Although I remain opposed to the closure of Aberntye Primary School, I would be concerned if these call-ins become too frequent because it undermines the role of local councils and elected councillors in providing schooling in their areas in accordance with the wishes of residents.
“Whatever happens in court, I hope that the school is able to stay open or at the very least, we are able to give certainty to the residents of Abernyte and most importantly to the kids and parents of the school at the centre of all this about what will happen there beyond July of next year.”
A spokesperson for the local authority confirmed the hearing and said that “no further comment will be made by the council in advance of the hearing date”.
