A mothballed Aberdeenshire primary school could reopen if a “sufficient number of parents” decide they want their children to attend it.
Strachan Primary School closed earlier this year after its roll dropped from 19 pupils to two after the council announced it would become a “one classroom, one teacher” school.
Parents claimed they had been bullied into sending their children to Banchory, Hill of Banchory or Finzean schools.
But after a meeting with parents, which only two sets of parents attended, the authority has announced the school will remain mothballed until there was sufficient demand.
Director of education Maria Walker added it had been made clear to parents in Strachan the school would remain a one-class school if it reopened with a roll still under 19.
Members of the council’s education committee will be updated on two meetings which the local authority next Thursday.
Ms Walker said in a report: “At the meeting on September 21, only two sets of parents attended.
“A full discussion took place with the parents and at this stage their preference is for their children to remain at Banchory Primary School.
“Accordingly the school is remaining mothballed, albeit should the parents’ view change the school will be reopened.”
Iain Gillies, whose nine-year-old son Aaron was at the school, and who attended the meeting, still harbours hopes the school will reopen.
Last night he said: “We have had several meetings with the council and we would say they have been quite productive. It is more likely to reopen than not reopen.
“It is a really, really lengthy process for them to close it officially, it has to go to formal consultation and they have to get permission from the minister.”
Local councillor Linda Clark added: “At the end of the day it is a wee village school that has been there a long time. Mothballing can be diverted if there are enough children to make that school viable.
“What you really probably need is enough for it to be a two teacher school and maybe folks will be happier about that.”