THE number of headteachers in a council area could be cut, with plans for several primary schools to be run by one manager.
Inverclyde Council has proposed the idea as part of a raft of cash-saving measures. The authority, one of Scotland's smallest, is looking to save millions of pounds from 2016 onwards.
Both the Educational Institute of Scotland, the country's largest teaching union, and the Association Of Headteachers And Deputes In Scotland have recently voiced concerns that the number of shared headships had risen significantly in recent years.
It comes as several councils across the country reveal cuts and savings running into hundreds of millions of pounds over the next few years.
One think tank claimed yesterday that Scotland and the UK are witnessing declining budgets over an extended period for the first time since the Second World War.
Fiscal Affairs Scotland said the country was facing a real terms cut to the public purse of almost 20 per cent between 2009 and 2019 and that Scotland and the UK were only roughly half way through the series of annual budget reductions.
The think tank also warned that after four years of milder cuts Scotland now faced the prospect of three more years of deep reductions in public spending.
Recommendations by officers at Inverclyde for almost a further £4million in savings include: stopping swimming lessons for some primary school children and free swimming overall; ending free fruit in schools and some music tuition; closing some community facilities, as well as the potential for a cull in overall teacher numbers.
An overhaul of the council's education department could also see 60 jobs go. The council has recommended £10million of cuts and savings to bridge a one-year budget gap of £7m.
The proposals will also go out to public consultation.
A report to go before councillors next week warns: "As this is a reduction or withdrawal of service it is likely concerns will be raised by the public or elected members.
"There is a risk in relation to maintaining teacher numbers and the connection to the council settlement post-2015/16 for savings where there is a reduction in teacher numbers."
Other proposals include the closure of the only municipal golf course in Inverclyde, a reduction in funding to the local regeneration agency, ending some services provided to social work by the voluntary sector and cuts to the social work staff numbers.
The Herald revealed this week that some of Scotland's best performing secondary schools could see students run their libraries.
It was also reported yesterday that children could start primary school a year later and secondary school days begin at 10am to save cash.
Inverclyde leader Stephen McCabe said the authority's books were balanced for the next year but cuts from Westminster and Holyrood and pressures from wages and the council tax freeze meant it was preparing for a budget gap.
He added: "We will not make decisions on any of the recommendations put forward by officers until such a time as we know what the settlement we receive from the Scottish Government and what their future policies will be."
SNP group leader Chris McEleny said: "Already we have identified certain proposals we are completely opposed to.
"The Clyde would dry up before we accept the closure of our only public golf course or a day that primary schools exist without headteachers."
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