The council said the overhaul would improve school standards and cut the maintenance costs associated with running 42 schools, despite having an island population of only 130,000 (CYP Now, 16-22 January).
Residents have been asked to choose from three reform options, all of which would involve mass school closures. Last week, an attempt by councillors to force the local authority to abandon the consultation was halted after 26 councillors voted against the motion while 17 voted for the consultation to be scrapped.
Independent Conservative councillor Patrick Joyce, who put forward the motion, said: "Members are in danger of ignoring residents' deeply held concerns for their children and communities. People feel the council is riding roughshod over the wishes of the electorate."
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