The closures Dalreoch Primary in Castlehill and Garshake nursery are just two of the ‘frightenening’ cuts faced by the area.

West Dumbartonshire Council (WDC) revealed the news yesterday (Monday) in a document called ‘Delivering the Future 2015-2018’.

It is due to be dicussed by the full council when they meet in Clydebank tomorrow (Wednesday), Other tough choices include: • Cutting primary school hours • Cutting free school milk • Axing the Loch Lomond Highland Games and Christmas light switch-ons • Reviewing the staging of the Scottish Pipe Band Championships * S5 and S6 pupils would travel between schools for under subscribed lessons According to the report, Dalreoch,urrently has just 65 pupils being taught in “an old and poor quality building with significant under-occupancy.” It adds: “The pupils would move to Braehead Primary School which is less than two miles away and offers the potential of a better educational environment.” As this is in preliminary stages, the council has said that discussions and a full consultation with parents and staff would be undertaken and the school would not close until the summer of 2016.

The closure would save the cash-strapped authority £300,000.

Garshake nursery, which based on site the authority’s HQ in Dumbarton, could also close in 2015/16 as the council believes there is ample early years educational services in the area.

The entire model for nurseries in West Dunbartonshire will be under review after 10 years of being in place.

The report adds: “This should allow the council to align with the recently introduced Children and Young People’s Act (2014) and take account of the continued regeneration of the school’s estate. The review will include a redesign of where ELC Centres are located; the range of services they offer; and how they are managed.” The council report also says that this review of early learning can ensure that those deserving of a free place receive it and local demands are met.

The school day could also be set to change, and shortened by half an hour. Teachers are contracted to 22.5 hours a week, while they currently work 25 hours a week.

The changes would ensure that staff contracts meet class contact time. The proposals are that the school day be reduced by half an hour, or children are given one afternoon off per week.

This according to the council; “The reduction would allow the council to cover its school week with a fewer number of teachers.” This is estimated to save more than £1 million over fours years.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council needs to find around £17million during 2015-17. One of the options being put forward for the public budget consultation is the closure of Carleith Primary School.

“This is a small school with just 89 pupils being taught in an old and poor quality building. The pupils would move to Goldenhill Primary School which is less than five years old, “just over a mile away and offers a much higher standard of accommodation. There is space for the new pupils and the Council is confident they could provide a high-quality learning environment that would benefit the children. A full consultation process would be undertaken with parents, staff and stakeholders if this option was approved and any approved closure would not take place until summer 2016.”