A north politician has welcomed Highland Council’s emergency funding proposals for a Black Isle secondary school.
But Kate Forbes MSP has also urged the local authority to proceed with a longer-term set of improvements at Fortrose Academy.
Today, councillors on the education, care and adult services committee will vote on whether to proceed with the short-term repair work at the school.
Education chiefs have recommended “immediate” investment at the 643-pupil school after frustrated parents highlighted the “terrible condition” of some of the school’s buildings.
The parent council at the school wrote to the local authority last month highlighting “crumbling plaster and brickwork, persistent damp and black mould,” with the showers said to be “in the worst condition I have ever seen in a public building.”
Ms Forbes also wrote to the council earlier this month detailing five action points for improvement. These concerned the windows in the modern languages and guidance departments, the hall floor, the asbestos in the canteen roof, damp and mould in the girls’ shower block as well as in the admin office.
Yesterday she said: “I am pleased that Highland Council are listening to the concerns of pupils, parents and teachers and I sincerely hope these repairs can be carried out as quickly as possible.
“With the prospect of more homes being built in the catchment area, some of whom will have families, the school roll is probably only going to increase, and I hope the longer-term improvements can be carried out before the building is put under additional strain.”