But on the three-year anniversary of the schools' merger into Big Rock Primary School in Brighton, principal David Grant says his community is wondering what all the fuss was about.
Declining rolls at the schools forced the merger, and, while there were only 18 pupils at Ocean View and 56 at Brighton School, many were outraged by the proposal.
"There were mixed feelings in the community. Some were really positive, but there was also a great fear of the unknown," he said.
"A lot of people felt they were losing something rather than gaining something.""At that time, I said I hoped we could be the sum of two parts and that, in three years' time, we would wonder what all the fuss was about."
Looking at the Brighton and Ocean View communities today, there are few signs of the battle, and Mr Grant said the amalgamation was the best thing to have happened to education in the communities for many years.
"Three years later, it's all positive. The things we have been able to do for the kids have just been phenomenal."
Thanks to the resulting increase in Ministry of Education funding, the 100-pupil school had been able to do a complete upgrade of all the classrooms, heat the school pool, build a new library and make improvements to the playground - and, by the end of next week, every pupil over the age of 7 will have their own laptop to enhance their classroom learning, he said.
"We've also been able to put together successful sports teams.
"We're thrilled about what we can offer the children. Their achievement levels have gone through the roof."
He said he was sympathetic towards the school communities merging in South Dunedin next year, but he believed, in the long run, it would be a positive change for education in the area.
"It's been a really positive change for us here, and I hope it works just as well for South Dunedin."
Despite the initial uproar, the community became supportive of Big Rock School the moment it opened, and he said it had been key to the success of the amalgamation.
"We couldn't have done it without them.
"I think it's a case of where there is a will, there is a way."
