Castlebar Municipal District councillors yesterday gave the green light for the locating of the town’s new Educate Together School in Marsh house, the former town council building.

The lease has been approved by councillors for a 4 year 9 month period, and the new school looks set to have its first Junior Infant class in place this September.

There was extensive debate at the meeting of the authority about the pros and cons of allowing the school to locate in Marsh House. Councillors expressed safety concerns at the location for children and parents, some argued that the now closed Glenisland National School outside the town may be a better alternative. While other councillors questioned the need for An Educate Together School in Castlebar.

But eventually, the lease was approved, as councillors accepted it was a temporary solution for the school to get started and that after five years, the use of the building would revert back to the local authority.

Yesterday’s approval now goes before the full meeting of Mayo County Council on Monday, to be formally completed.

A delegation from Educate Together attended the municipal district meeting.

Principal of the new school Sarah Calvey and parent Yvonne Coyne spoke to Midwest News about the decision and both said they were delighted with the approval and support.

12 Junior Infants are enrolled in the new school for this academic year.