Teachers and council staff have been urged to speak their minds about the ongoing review into Moray’s education system.
A motion was passed unanimously at the full council yesterday underling the fact that all local authority staff have nothing to fear if they express their views.
The motion was brought forward after it became apparent that many employees were confused about what they could and could not say.
Milne’s High School in Fochabers is one of those potentially at threat from the review, whose outline proposals currently include the setting up of a “super campus” on the coast where 750-1,000 pupils aged from three to 18 would be educated.
Fochabers councillor Margo Howe read out several comments to yesterday’s meeting that she had received from staff who had been asked if they would support the campaign to keep Milne’s open.
These included: “I am a teacher – we have been asked not to comment”; and “I’m looking to keep my job.”
Mrs Howe said: “I believe in democracy and freedom of speech. There were a number of people who couldn’t or wouldn’t comment.”
Roddy Burns, the council’s chief executive, expressed his concern about this.
He said: “Every member of staff has the right to be heard – that’s a fundamental principle.
“I would be concerned if there are staff who would be afraid to speak.”
Dougie Potter, chairman of the Community Action group who are against closing Milne’s, said: “It contradicts the freedom of speech and for the experts not to be able to speak out is counter intuitive.”
The motion to allow staff to comment on the school review was passed, with the limitation that they should not make public confidential information.
Moray schools need an estimated £70million of investment to bring them up to an acceptable standard.
The review is looking at how money could be better spent on facilities that are fit for the 21st century.
All 45 primaries and eight secondaries are currently under the microscope, with the council repeatedly stating that “nothing had been ruled in and nothing has been ruled out”.