Urgent talks are needed to avoid “preconceptions and negative reaction” over the relocation of two school behaviour support units, a leading opposition Fife councillor has warned.
SNP group leader and Glenrothes councillor Peter Grant said it was important the council dealt with any prejudices or misconceptions about the units early.
Fife Council is proposing the closure of seven primary schools and relocating the behavioural support service from Lynburn Primary, Dunfermline, to Camdean Primary, Rosyth. With Tanshall primary in Glenrothes earmarked for closure, it is proposed the school’s behavioural support unit be moved to another school in the area.
Mr Grant said: “Fifteen years ago the Tanshall community did not want the behavioural support unit and yet it is now regarded as an important and valued part of the school.
“It’s important we deal with prejudices and misconceptions early. We can’t afford the risk of getting the consultation wrong.”
The comment was made as Fife Council’s executive committee agreed to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in schools which may see pupil numbers soar as others are closed.
Fife Council has set out how it intends to invest £6.2 million in upgrading buildings and facilities if its proposals to shut Tanshall, Crombie, Wellwood, Pitcorthie, Dunino, Rathillet and New Gilston primaries go ahead after consultation.
The largest sums of money for the expanding schools £910,000 and £860,000 will go to Camdean Primary School and Dunfermline’s Pitreavie Primary School respectively. Pitreavie primary will take pupils from Masterson.
Other primary schools to benefit are McLean (£385,000), Cairneyhill (£390,000), Commercial (£680,000), Lynburn (£580,000), Touch (£330,000), Caskieberran (£510,000), Southwood Primary (£425,000), Kingsbarns (£240,000), Largoward (£300,000), Balmerino (£120,000) and Canmore (£410,000).
Shelagh McLean, the council’s directorate resources manager, said nothing would be undertaken until consultation on the school estates review was complete.
The greatest portion of cash, £1.8 million, will be ploughed into upgrading IT at each of the schools.
Fife Council’s Conservative group leader Dave Dempsey queried whether these schools being granted investment were actually the schools with greatest need in Fife.
Fife Council leader Alex Rowley said there was “no question” there were other schools in Fife which required investment. The estimated need was £75 million just to tackle issues such as toilets and windows.
However, he emphasised the review was about rationalising the school estate and this would “not be the end of it”.