Education Minister Nick McKim has vowed to visit each of the 20 schools earmarked for closure.
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His promise follows concerns from volunteer school representatives they would have to travel up to 100 kilometres to plead their case to Mr McKim before he decided the fate of
their school.
Yesterday, senior education department staff told parents they would be asked to see Mr McKim at regional meetings.
Potential school closures dominated this morning's State Parliament question time, the first since the state budget was released on Thursday.
In response to repeated questions and accusations from his Liberal counterpart Michael Ferguson, Mr McKim confirmed the final decision on the future of schools was up to him,
not cabinet.
He denied the consultation process was a sham.
"If I decide not to close any or for that matter all ... then we will find our budget savings other ways,'' he told parliament.
If schools are closed, he said the buildings and land may be gifted to local government for community use.
FULL REPORT IN THE EXAMINER TOMORROW
