A “sometimes heated but constructive” discussion took place between parents concerned about the proposed merger of Hillside and Gowriehill Primary Schools.
Eductation director Michael Wood addressed the meeting, outlining the council’s plans for spending £11.5 million to build a new three-stream school, also incorporating Menzieshill Nursery, on a site by Dickson Avenue.
He also answered questions about the plans from parents and residents. Councillors Alan Ross and Tom Ferguson were also present at the meeting.
The parent council at Hillside had expressed concerns over the merger, saying previously the council was putting “financial and political goals” ahead of their children’s education, and members were worried about the school losing its independence.
After the meeting, Hillside parent council chairman David Cooke described it as constructive.
He said: “Whether we end up getting what the council promise is of concern to the parents. It was a wide-ranging discussion with all the pros and cons being debated.
“We were asking why the school couldn’t be built on the existing Hillside site and Michael Wood said it wasn’t big enough.
“He was also asked about renovation of the existing building but he said it would be too expensive because of the existence of asbestos.
“And he said people would be asking why spend that amount of money on it, which is probably right in the end.
“The residents were also asking what will happen to the site of Hillside afterwards and he said it would be bulldozed and cleared.
“My overall opinion is that it was a good, frank exchange of views. I don’t think there was any real movement but he said all points would be taken away and be discussed.
“He also said there would be a more detailed look at the out-of-school club.
“It gave everyone a chance to vent their feelings about it. It was quite heated at times and the overall concern still exists as to whether its as good a site as we’ve got at the moment.”
Another consultation meeting will be held in the nursery on Thursday.