A Kirkcaldy primary school will almost certainly shut its doors for good next year after councillors backed closure proposals however parents have vowed to fight the decision.
Dunearn Primary’s bell is expected to ring for the final time in June next year after Fife’s education and children’s services committee approved the move on Thursday, despite a consultation coming out in favour of keeping the school open.
Although around 75% of respondents were in favour of the status quo, education officials insisted the case for closing Dunearn remained strong given the serious concerns they have about the building and its remaining lifespan.
The decision means the school is likely to close at the end of the 2011-12 term, with the remaining pupils sent to Fair Isle, Strathallan, Torbain and Valley from August next year.
However, parents insist they will fight to save the school and now hope Scottish ministers will call in the proposal, something that will only happen if MSPs consider there has been a significant failure by the education authority.
Education chairman Douglas Chapman said the council had taken an open and honest approach throughout and stressed how difficult a decision it had been.
“It’s not something that we do lightly because we know the feelings are strong in the local community, as they always will be with any school closure,” he said.
Dunearn was identified for closure following a review of education provision in Kirkcaldy which suggested the school had a poor condition rating and a limited lifespan.
The fact it is 55% full and close to two newer PPP schools, which are also under capacity, were also flagged up as reasons for closure, while councillors were told excessive snowfall over the winter had worsened the condition of the school.
After the assembly hall roof showed signs of cracking, temporary props costing £3400 a month were installed.
But with a permanent solution costing between £50,000 and £100,000, and a replacement building likely to cost up to £5 million, the education service feels Dunearn would not rate highly in relation to other funding priorities considered by the council in the current climate.
“To try and find the money would be very difficult, especially if we were taking the case to other parts of the council, because the first question they would be asking would be about what provision is nearby,” Mr Chapman continued.
Closing Dunearn will save the council £473,000 over three years and the £3400 per month being spent on the assembly hall roof, although costs relating to security and demolition may be incurred later.
Labour councillor Judy Hamilton called for the decision to be delayed until the education review was complete, citing the serious concerns she had about the lack of information given to councillors.
Councillor Raymond Duguid also suggested the cost of keeping temporary roof props for the next 18 months would equate to the cost of a permanent solution.
Responding to other criticisms that Dunearn had all of a sudden been pinpointed for closure, Councillor Alice Soper, the Kirkcaldy area chairwoman, said local councillors had been made aware the review may lead to closure of a school some time ago.
“No one wants to close a school but to try and say this suddenly appeared out of the blue? I’m sorry, I don’t accept it,” she said.
Councillors voted 10-4 in favour of the closure proposal.