Fife Council’s executive committee has approved the merger of Kirkland and Buckhaven high schools in a new Levenmouth campus.
Concerns about sports facilities, the consultation process and rivalries between the two schools were raised when the committee met in Glenrothes.
Peter Grant said only a small amount of people had responded to the consultation.
And Tim Brett said: “There’s a lot of references to fighting. There’s a sense of rivalry between these two schools at present. Maybe bringing them together in one school will be the solution?”
Assurances were given by area education officer John McLaughlin.
He said: “Historically, issues between two schools have not been uncommon in parts of Scotland.
“It’s an issue of merging two communities and we have practice in that. We are confident we can bring these two communities together.
“I can reassure people that in the long term, sports facilities will be improved.”
Council leader Alex Rowley said: “The Levenmouth area has the highest deprivation in Fife and among the highest deprivation is Scotland.
“If we are to start tackling poverty and deprivation in Fife, there has to be a drive for education from early years right through.”