The full project value is estimated at between £162m and £182m, depending on the preferred option for each school. A report which went to the Council in June 2008 estimated that based on projected funds available the programme would take at least 14 years to deliver and would represent a significant challenge.
Portobello has been recommended as the first school to be rebuilt after a condition and suitability assessment gave each school a score with the intention of addressing the school in most need. The outcome of the assessment also listed the other four schools in order of priority: James Gillespie's High School (second), Boroughmuir High School and St John's Primary School (joint third), and St Crispin's Special School (fifth).
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The rebuilding of Portobello High school will now go to the budget setting process in February for approval and it is estimated that construction work would start in 2011/12 with the new school being open in 2013/14.
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Convener for Education, Children and Families, said: "This is great news for Portobello but this is a bitter sweet situation as the other four schools will be disappointed and worried about the future of their buildings. I am seriously concerned that the other four schools are not fit for purpose and desperately need to be replaced.
"We put the business case for each of the schools to the Scottish Government in June of this year and we have made it very clear that we need additional funding if we are to deliver all of these schools in the next five years. I will continue to work at all levels to find funding to rebuild the other four."
(GK/JM)
