Hundreds of people have marched in support of restricting school closures to just one in the Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau.
Education Minister Anne Tolley has proposed closing three of the town's six schools, but has not made a final decision.
Kawerau mayor Malcolm Campbell on Monday gave local MP Todd McClay a submission backing the closure of one school.
Mr Campbell says the three schools also presented council with submissions supporting its stance.
"In our situation, we're damned if we do and we're damned if we don't. If we don't get up there and support our community, we look bad. We have supported it to the very best that we can do, without damaging too many people's pride."
About 150 students and teachers from Kawerau protested in front of Parliament about two weeks ago against the proposed closures.
