The contentious withdrawal of secondary education at Tomintoul School is back on the agenda after pressure from the school board for a merger with Speyside High in Aberlour. Councillors last year agreed to continue secondary education at Tomintoul for the lifetime of the administration but now accept educational arguments for merger are stronger than ever. The four-year secondary department has 22 pupils and costs per pupil are nearly three times the Scottish average. Senior pupils are already bused to Speyside. A consultation paper issued today (Friday) suggests merger should begin next August.