Axing the Peterhead school project is not acceptable as the council faces a £26m budget shortfall, impacting education.
However, they now face a £26 million budget problem. Council leader Gillian Owen said they must stop some things and save money now. Council members will meet soon to decide next year’s budget in three weeks.
The council is currently checking on all its schools, especially looking at 150 primary schools. Possible outcomes include the closure of five schools in three years, or forty more could close because they are too empty. Fintry School, with only one class currently, concerns the council due to its uncertain future.
It costs £261,000 to run a small school, which is about £13,000 per student. Bigger schools cost over £2 million yearly, but the cost per student drops to around £5,000. David Keating supports rural schools despite the challenges.
He notes that many schools are underused and need maintenance, and leaking roofs are unacceptable in multiple locations. He hopes to fix that, but closing schools is a possibility; combining schools is also under consideration to save money. Keating wants fewer leaky buckets next year and plans to combine Tipperty and Foveran schools.
The council had wanted a new building in Foveran for up to 300 students. However, money problems stopped this plan. They will use the old buildings instead now. Keating held a meeting about this merger, which was a big meeting with many parents attending.
People are very passionate about their local schools. He admits that people might not achieve all their goals. However, the council will still try its best for them. The most important goal is a good education for all.
The £71 million Peterhead Community Campus is still important, although the project stopped last summer when a contractor withdrew. The council wants it done by 2028 at the earliest. Peterhead Academy, Anna Ritchie School, and others would move there.
Keating stated they are reviewing all possibilities and will consider them once ready. Building costs have increased a lot since then. Other councils face similar problems and are delaying or changing plans.
The Peterhead project is complex and affects the whole area. Therefore, the council needs time to make the best decision. Keating hopes they will not cancel the Peterhead project, acknowledging that the Peterhead Academy has existing problems and they must do something.
