A councillor has urged the local authority not to forget the plight of a packed Mearns school – one of six in the area running over capacity.
The Kincardine and Mearns area committee has been given an update on space issues at local schools as it reviewed the council’s education and children’s services quarterly performance.
At the moment, Auchenblae, Drumoak, Dunnottar, Laurencekirk, Portlethen and St Cyrus schools are all jam-packed.
And, speaking yesterday, the vice-chairman of the committee, Peter Bellarby, said Stonehaven’s Dunnottar Primary needs urgent attention.
The school is D-listed and has been at more than 20% above capacity since 2014, with gym classes often held in Stonehaven Town Hall.
Stonehaven and District councillor, Mr Bellarby, added: “The last time these figures were before us, I expressed my concerns about Dunnottar School and my concerns are still there.
“I know there is a re-zoning exercise going on, but it also has problems in terms of its building. I just wanted to note that Dunnottar School does need attention.”
Area manager, William Munro, said the roll at Dunnottar Primary was being monitored closely by the council, with several options being considered for the Stonehaven schools network.
He added that St Cyrus Primary was “expected to fall below capacity again”, with the new replacement Drumoak Primary and Portlethen Hillside schools expected to ease the problem.
Mr Munro also said that the £1.4million extension of Laurencekirk Primary School would help matters in the Howe of the Mearns.
He added: “Most of the problems have solutions being employed fairly soon”, prior to saying the overall Education and Children’s service plan was a “pretty positive picture” with 93% of its objectives on target.
Recently, the FM Group, which is behind £80milllion plans for a golf resort and housing development at the Ury Estate, offered a four-acre plot of land for a replacement of Dunnottar Primary.