Delegation to discuss school cuts

North East Fife MSP Willie Rennie will lead a delegation to discuss cuts to school administration staff on Friday.

It follows widespread alarm over the finer detail of a current review of clerical and administration staff in all schools across the kingdom.

Last week Fife Council’s administration was accused of hiding behind management speak as the row over the changes gathered pace.

Conservative councillor Tony Miklinski urged bosses to shelve the proposals, due to the likely impact on workers

On Friday the Scottish Lib Dem leader will meet the council co-leader, SNP councillor David Alexander, and education convener Fay Sinclair to discuss the proposals.

Mr Rennie will be joined by SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth and Lib Dem councillor Tim Brett.

He said: “Fife Council is proposing to reduce numbers of important administration staff in 28 small rural primary and nursery schools in north east Fife.

“The current plan is to replace these roles with more junior ones, which will result in the loss of years of experience.

“This short-sighted cut to save cash will undermine the performance of the schools for a relatively small saving for the council budget.”

He added he was grateful to the hundreds of people who have already signed the petition in support of school secretaries and hoped the councillors would listen to campaigners.