Mercedes Vasquez Simmons wasn't happy to hear that School No. 20 on Oakman Street could potentially be closing. She and her son both attended the school. She says the faculty at School No. 20 really care about the students.

"The principal has been extremely active in our community. When it comes to parent engagement, it was 100 percent," said Simmons. 

In an effort to balance the budget, the Rochester City School District is looking to close both School No. 20 and School No. 43. 

"It's unfortunate because as humans we learn, so obviously is if education is taken away from us, there's no way make up for that unless you go to the library to study," said Thomas Ellis, a Rochester resident.

Just like School No. 20, School No. 43 on Lyell Avenue is known as a community school. John Yockel has volunteered at School No. 43 since 2007. He says he'll miss going there to volunteer.

"Like I said, if it closes, it closes. I don't what they're going to do with the empty building. I know one thing, since we've had charter schools here, we've lost a lot of kids in the city school district," said Yockel. 

While Simmons says she will fight to keep School No. 20 open. 

"I personally have close to 30 parents, and we plan on fighting for it. We need that school here. Our school, our neighborhood has many challenges. And that's our little safe haven. It's the children’s safe haven, it's the parents’ safe haven," said Simmons.