Claims that a Perthshire school could close as part of money-saving shake-up have been slammed by education chiefs as “scaremongering”.
SNP MP Pete Wishart has demanded assurances from Perth and Kinross Council over the future of Pitlochry High.
The establishment, which hosts primary and secondary classes, will be one of the next wave of schools to be scrutinised as part of a long-running council review.
Earlier this year, councillors voted to push ahead with the closure of Balhousie School, after hearing it could cost as much as £5.7 million to bring the building up to standard.
The move, which will be discussed at a public meeting next week, angered parents and local SNP councillors.
Now Mr Wishart has written to lifelong learning convener Caroline Shiers, a Conservative councillor, about the future of Pitlochry High which he says is “being considered for closure”.
He wrote: “Given the nature of these proposals, are you in a position to either rule out closure for Pitlochry High School or at least give parents an idea of how long this threat of closure may continue to be in place.”
Mr Wishart added: “We have seen the damage that can be done to the future of a school when the threat of closure hangs over it. It is understandable that parents are demanding clarity on the future of the school and it is vital that Perth and Kinross Council are clear with parents on the timeline for its future.”
Ms Shiers said Mr Wishart’s comments were “scaremongering and deeply irresponsible”.
She said she was committed to seeing education in Highland Perthshire “enhanced, not diminished”.
“The school estate review process, instigated by the previous SNP administration, has allowed the council to engage with communities across Perth and Kinross,” Ms Shiers continued.
“Perhaps SNP councillors might like to ask Mr Wishart why he no longer supports the review they set up to ensure our school estate is fit for the future. Are they now content to allow our school estate to crumble through lack of investment, because we certainly are not?”
She said she would be in touch with parents at Pitlochy, and at other schools in phase two of the review, to update them on the process.
“Scaremongering about the future of Pitlochry High School for party political purposes in the heat of a by-election is deeply irresponsible but sadly all too typical of the approach taken by Mr Wishart and his SNP colleagues.”
She added: “We have seen Mr Wishart make all kind of similar claims in relation to other schools as part of the estates review, but I believe that what we are delivering will be local schools which really do offer children and young people the very best opportunities across Perth and Kinross.”
