Christchurch City Council is writing to the Education Minister to try to extend a consultation period with schools facing merger or closure.
The Government in September announced a $1 billion education overhaul in Canterbury affecting 31 schools and set a 7 December deadline for submissions.
At a meeting on Thursday, city councillors agreed to ask for extended consultation for schools that need it.
Councillor Glenn Livingstone says pushing back the deadline into the New Year could give some schools enough time to make better decisions.
Education Minister Hekia Parata says she has always been open to extending the timeframe.
