MEARNS Community Council remain extremely worried over the state of the area's primary schools, despite an attempt at reassurance by Aberdeenshire Council.
Following the publication of a report on the condition of schools, the community council wrote expressing their concern to the education authority.
A reply from the director of education said that schools are rated A-D in terms of their conditio
n and this is updated annually. These figures are important information in allowing the local authority to assess its school estate.
"Insufficient funding over the years has led to a huge backlog in the required work," the letter said.
"This has meant some schools falling into the D category, including Glenbervie and Marykirk primaries.
"The aim of the council is to bring all buildings up to standard, but it will be a very slow process.
"There has been recent investment in the buildings at Auchenblae and Marykirk schools and health and safety remains paramount."
The community council had questioned the accuracy of school roll projections, particularly relating to Mearns Academy.
The director replied that these projections are also updated annually and that it was predicted that Mearns Academy would be at 113% of its capacity by 2011.
The 550 capacity of the academy does not include the eight temporary classrooms currently in place.
Norman Banski commented: "This letter does not give me much solace, our schools are still poor."
Marie Richards said there had clearly been a lack of maintenance of schools over the years and Alan Mowat said the projected roll figures would not include the many new houses being built in the area.
"They may say the school has a 550 capacity, but the dining room only takes 150."
Mr Banski said that if the planning department was consulted as claimed, they should be able to say accurately how much housebuilding was projected.
The Aberdeenshire councillors present told the meeting that Maureen Watt, Minister for Schools and Skills, had been meeting the director and convenor of education that day, to discuss the school estate and what possibility there was for capital support from the government.
Councillor George Carr said there were clearly doubts as to the capability of school buildings, both secondary and primary, to deliver education to the standard required.
He said funding remained the major obstacle to the delivery of a new Mearns Academy.
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