Cumbernauld Academy given the green light

The decision was approved at a meeting of the committee which was held on Tuesday, November 5.

The News and Chronicle previously reported that the name came about after a ballot was held asking parents, staff, secondary pupils of both Abronhill High and Cumbernauld High schools, and P7 pupils in the associated primaries to vote on their preferred name.

Cumbernauld Academy was top choice with 856 votes with Forrest Glen Academy coming in second with 553 votes.

A total of 360 votes were in favour of Antonine Academy for the name of the new school.

It was also agreed at the meeting that Abronhill High will be surplus to the council’s requirements on June 27, 2014,

The SNP Group made a bid to delay the sell-off of the school building, but this was defeated 15 to eight.

Councillor Tom Johnston moved that the committee agree to “continue the recommendation until any question of a legal challenge to the amalgamation has been exhausted”.

But the committee agreed to declare the site surplus to the requirements of learning and leisure services, which is the first stage to sell-off.

Councillor Johnston, said: “It is known that a legal bid may be launched against this closure and how it was handled by the council.

“It makes sense to wait until any legal challenge reaches its conclusion before selling the building. The school remains fully operative until June next year, so any delay now for a few weeks will hardly slow down any commercial sale.”