The principal of an intermediate school in the Bay of Plenty says the Minister of Education has ignored the local community in deciding to merge and close some schools.
A rapid decline in rolls has prompted a reorganisation of schools in Kawerau.
Education Minister Anne Tolley said six schools were losing around 60 students every year.
The first of two consultation phases began in October last year and the minister's preferred option went out for public comment last week.
Under that option, Kawerau Intermediate School would close, the remaining schools would merge into two primary schools and a secondary school, Kawerau College, would be retained.
Kawerau Intermediate principal Daryl Aim says that goes against what the majority of the community, the district council and four out of six schools wanted.
Mr Aim says a meeting will be held on Monday night in the Kawerau community to discuss the decision.
The boards of all Kawerau schools have until early June to comment on the decision and Mrs Tolley has declined to comment during that time.
