Councillors have agreed to close a north-east school for good almost four years after it last welcomed pupils through its doors.
Gartly School, near Huntly, was forced to shut in December 2018 after a major oil leak was discovered.
The leak was so severe that pupils and nursery children were moved to nearby Kennethmont and Rhynie schools.
It was hoped repairs would be straightforward and pupils could return, but the situation proved more serious.
Extensive remediation works were carried out a cost of £451,500 but they still couldn’t solve the problem.
Aberdeenshire Council later revealed that reinstating the building could cost more than £1 million.
But over time pupil numbers fell and the school was mothballed in 2021.
A statutory consultation into the facility’s future was launched last December recommending it be closed permanently.
Health and safety of Gartly children is a priority
The fate of the school was considered at a meeting of full council today.
Councillor Anne Simpson said that proposing to close a school was not an easy decision to make.
Ms Simpson, who is vice chairwoman of the education and children’s services committee, noted that inspectors from Education Scotland were “confident there was sufficient merit to close the school”.
She moved a motion backing the closure and it was supported by councillor Jim Gifford.
He said it was the “correct decision” and added: “The very first priority of the council has to be the health, wellbeing and safety of children and staff at Gartly.”
What do you think of the decision? Share your views in our comments section at the foot of this article
Community feels ‘hurt’ over loss of beloved school
Meanwhile, councillor Gwyneth Petrie said the local authority had “no option but to agree” to the closure.
The Huntly, Strathbogie and Howe of Alford councillor said the ongoing situation at the school has had a “profound impact” on the Gartly area.
She also said the council needed to take notice of the “hurt” the community feels about losing the “much-loved and once well-attended school”.
Ms Petrie added: “At every step local members argued to keep the option to retain the school on the table because it was clear how the community felt.
“But pupils have now all moved and settled elsewhere and cost needed to reinstate would be even higher.
“Our focus now has to be to work with the community to decide what the best option is for the building and site.”
Pupils in the Gartly catchment area will now be reassigned to a new dual zone between Kinnethmont and Rhynie Schools.
Gartly is the second Aberdeenshire school to be closed this year.
Councillors agreed to close Longhaven School near Peterhead back in June.
Read more from the Schools and Family team
My child was born in winter – when should they start school?
City school among first to earn national honour
Nearly half of Camphill parents say the Aberdeen school has helped them return to work
Conversation