Fife College has been accused of poor handling of the withdrawal from its Cupar campus amid concerns about the impact on vulnerable students with learning disabilities.
Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett voiced anger there was no hint of the news to come when he spoke to the college vice-principal just days before the announcement of its departure from Elmwood in 2016.
Mr Brett claimed it had failed to consult students, local schools and families of schoolchildren expecting to progress to supported learning courses at the campus, which is shared with agricultural college SRUC.
He said: “I’m disappointed, annoyed and frankly angry about the way this has come out.
“It seems to be a very poor way of conducting business, without any consultation with families, users, schools or councillors in the area affected.”
The Fife Liberal Democrat leader said he had been contacted by a family worried about their son, a Madras College pupil who is among many at the St Andrews school who receive additional support and intended to go to Elmwood.
Mr Brett said: “These are vulnerable youngsters who can just about manage to get to Elmwood.
“I don’t think it’s viable to say to someone like them that they are going to have to get on a bus to Kirkcaldy or elsewhere.”
Fife College declined to respond to Mr Brett’s comments, referring The Courier back to the statement released last Wednesday confirming speculation over Elmwood’s future.
It said: “We remain committed to ensuring that a range of courses and learning opportunities are available for people in north-east Fife and are looking at the best way to achieve this.
“Consultations with various partners, staff, students and the community will continue over the next few months and we hope to have plans for the area in place soon.
“All staff currently employed by Fife College at the Cupar campus have been advised of the plans and are assisting us in looking at new ways to deliver courses in the area.”
Fife College took over some of the courses at Elmwood when it was created last year by a merger between Elmwood, Adam Smith and Carnegie colleges.
The majority of the Cupar courses are run by SRUC, which is to remain.