Parents and staff members from five of the region’s small schools, including Spring Hill, Mullion Creek, Euchareena and Clergate public schools, will meet at Anson Street School on Wednesday afternoon to discuss their concerns with a NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) representative.

While the Federal Government provides funding for the BER program, projects in New South Wales will be administered through the DET.

Concerns to be raised at the meeting include the difficulty of adapting prefabricated buildings to meet the requirements of some schools as well as the likelihood the projects will not be carried out by local tradespeople.

Spring Hill Public School Parents and Citizens Association member Allison Rodgers said the prefabricated building being allocated to the school could not be adapted to create a suitable new library with adequate space for classes, technology and learning materials.

“The new building we’re getting is actually smaller than the existing library and the building won’t fit in with the school, which was built in 1870, either,” she said.

Mrs Rodgers said the P & C was also concerned that too great a portion of the school’s $250,000 funding allocation would go towards administration fees charged by project managers Laing O’Rourke.

“We’re all rather upset and disappointed that the money is being wasted the way it is that we’re not getting something that’s useable,” she said.

A member of Mullion Creek P & C, who declined to be named, said its association had similar concerns that its needs for a library with air-conditioning, a rainwater tank and a power upgrade would not be met through the BER program.

A DET spokesperson yesterday tried to allay concerns.

“The department is working closely with schools to ensure they receive the best facilities that can be provided within the Australian Government guidelines and NSW Education Facilities standards,” the spokesperson said.

Federal Member for Calare John Cobb’s office and Member for Orange Russell Turner’s office confirmed they had received complaints in relation to the issue and were making enquiries.