The repair bill for Moray’s crumbling school estate has nearly doubled in the last year – to more than £100million.
It is now feared that closures may be “inevitable” to save cash and ensure the remaining buildings are fit for purpose.
Bills have soared from £57million to get schools up to minimum standards from July last year.
And now there is a growing consensus among council election candidates to look at condensing the 53-school estate.
Last night Labour leader John Divers, who is standing in Elgin South in next month’s vote, insisted the authority could no longer afford to “mollycoddle” communities.
The SNP’s Graham Leadbitter, who is a candidate for the same area, said he was “not adverse” to closures, as long as it is in the interest of pupils.
Figures released by the local authority show Findochty Primary School is running at 30% of capacity, Glenlivet at 36% and Logie at 38%.
Findochty parents marched in Elgin in 2014 when their school was under threat and last night Lynsey Watt, chairwoman of the school’s parent support group, insisted they would do the same again.
She said: “It’s a good school. Yes, there are empty rooms but they could be of assistance if more facilities are needed in Findochty or if schools merge.
“If there are school closures then it would have a knock-on effect on the whole community. We’ve got our own head teacher and it’s a close-knit community, which would help us.”
Moray Council has adopted a “make do and mend” policy with repairs to school buildings in recent years.
However, that approach has led to almost all of the region’s estate being deemed no longer fit for purpose.
Mr Divers believes a different tactic is now needed to ensure the buildings do not deteriorate even further.
He said: “Day-by-day and year-by-year these bills are going to increase. We need to get a grip on it because there’s no money to pay it.
“It isn’t something that I would want to do if I’m elected again but it’s something we will have to do.
“The schools are going to fall apart at the edges with this make do and mend attitude. In a few years time they are aren’t going to be fit for anybody. We need to do something about it.”
Mr Leadbitter told a meeting this week that mergers would have to be presented as a benefit to students instead of opening a consultation on closures.
He said: “If you are taking two small schools and giving them a new physical building to share then that might be an idea they actually get behind.
“There’s been a massive backlash to the way it’s been done in the past. If you just publish a list of schools that are under threat then you have a massive battle on your hands.”
Milne’s High School was saved from closure three years ago after a mass protest from teachers.
Marc Macrae, who is standing for the Conservatives in Fochabers Lhanbryde, and who is vice-chairman of the school’s parent council, joined the rally.
He said: “Budgets are reducing and maintenance costs are increasing. Closing schools isn’t something we haven’t got the intent to do if elected – it would have to be a last resort.
“I have three children in education in Moray and anything we do would have to be based on the benefits for youngsters.”