RELIEF was the general reaction from most of the Northern schools threatened with possible closure under the School Viability Reference Group report recommendations.
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Those recommendations put 100 enrolments as a minimum and Northern schools Avoca, Bracknell, Meander, Mole Creek and Ringarooma primary schools were all failing to meet that criterion.
Bracknell Primary School Association chairwoman Angela Cresswell said everyone she had spoken to had welcomed yesterday's decision to push back any school closures to at least the end of 2015.
``I think it gives us certainty to 2015 and it gives everyone the opportunity to go through the proper process of self-evaluation,'' Ms Cresswell said.
``It's not a rushed thing and it will mean it's not a forced closure.
``I was in town and people said `But doesn't it leave it hanging over your head for another two years', but it gives us more time to get on with business and what we're supposed to be doing - educating kids and continuing to show what a great school we are.''
Avoca Primary School Association chairwoman Lyn Williams described the announcement as relief.
Ms Williams said it was relief for the children that they now had some certainty that their school was safe for another two years.
``It's not fair for them when they should be getting on with learning and not worrying where they will be in the future,'' Ms Williams said.
Ringarooma Primary School Association chairwoman Lou Hayward said it was fantastic news.
She said the school has just under 100 pupils now and enrolments were expected to increase over the next five years as more irrigation schemes started.
``That was our biggest concern, that we'd have these projects but no school for the kids to go to,'' Ms Hayward said.
She said some in the school community were ecstatic about the announcement, but others raised concerns that the benchmark might move and they would again come under consideration for closure.
Meander Primary School Association chairman Brad Clark said it gave all schools breathing space and welcomed the way the government had handled the issue this time.
``Compared to last year this is a much more effective way to deal with school communities, stakeholders and the community at large,'' Mr Clark said.
