FORMER independent candidate for the Murray electorate Helen Dalton has called on the state government to review its decision in shutting down Murrami Public School.
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The Department of Education announced late last year it the school would be merging with Whitton Public School.
In the interim the Murrami ground’s are still being maintained until the end of this year.
Mrs Dalton believes there wasn’t enough community consultation into the decision to amalgamate the two schools.
She would also like the government to review its decision to close Grong Grong Public School.
“People are still very angry about this decision to close Murrami Public School,” Mrs Dalton said.
“They think it’s unacceptable that there wasn’t the proper consultation and the decision was made without them.
“Schools are the fabric of small communities like Murrami.
“Their (the Department of Education and Communities) reasoning was the numbers weren’t going to increase and there weren’t enough people moving to town.
“I think that’s rubbish.
“There’s plenty happening around Murrami with cotton, rice, the new Grainlink hub and Freedom Foods.
“I definitely think it should be re-opened or at the very least have the decision reviewed and looked at.”
At the time of the decision being made last year a department spokesman said the decision was made in the interests of current and future students.
"The process of combining the two schools will emphasise retaining their ‘small school’ atmosphere and maintaining the character and culture of the two schools," the spokesman said.
"Whitton Public School already offers excellent facilities, including a large well-kept playing area, extensive technology and a Stephanie Alexander garden and kitchen.
"These will be further enhanced with the transfer of resources from Murrami Public."
From all reports students at the newly-merged school have adjusted well to their new environment and way of working.
However, Mrs Dalton has called on NSW Education Minister and Member for Murray Adrian Piccoli to address the concerns of Murrami residents.
“They are concerned about the affect of the closure, particularly on their house prices now being undervalued,” she said.
