Parents in Peterhead are being urged to start “shouting” about the urgent need to upgrade their town’s secondary school.
The Press and Journal yesterday revealed that Aberdeenshire Council has been unable to guarantee classrooms at the school will be made “fit for purpose”.
Tom Buchan, Aberdeenshire Council’s facilities manager, made the claim after revealing that upgrades to the school – which needs new windows – were being held off on until a timeline could be secured for a replacement building.
In the meantime, teachers and pupils who use the school, off Prince Street, are being forced to keep their coats on during lessons.
Mr Buchan has said that “essential” work would be carried out as quickly as possible.
However, he added: “I can’t guarantee they (the school classrooms) will be made fit for purpose. The critical issues will be looked at.”
The project to replace the windows will cost Aberdeenshire Council £110,000.
Now a concerned grandparent of a youngster at the school is urging locals to start speaking out, and that no expense should be spared.
The Buchan grandfather, who did not want to give his name, said: “The parents in Peterhead should be the people saying things – shouting. They’re the people who will make things happen.
“The parents of kids who are in primary three or four will be the ones who benefit.”
Last week’s Buchan area committee had heard it could take up to four years for work to start on a new school in the port.
“They have to spend money on the building,” the grandfather added.
“It needs a couple of million pounds, but that’s nothing compared to the £35million it will take for a new school. The kids deserve to have the money spent.”
Local councillor Stuart Pratt branded delays in spending the money unacceptable.
He said: “I don’t think it’s acceptable that kids have to sit with their coats on. Proper maintenance has to be done and done now”.
Mr Buchan is expected to report back to the councillors in June with the authority’s plans for the school.
The facilities manager had initially suggested that the council would outline work for improving classroom conditions in September.
But he was told by Mr Pratt that leaving the paper until closer to winter would be dangerous.