SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – Emotions are running high in the South Bay over a school district’s proposal to close several schools.  The Alum Rock Union School District in San Jose is trying to close a $20 million budget deficit. Parents, students and teachers gathered at a board meeting Thursday to speak out against the plan. There was yelling, clapping, crying at the board of trustees meeting. So many people attended that they reached capacity and opened an overflow room.  During public comment, each person got one minute to speak, but still many say they do not feel heard.  Parents, teachers, students and community members cheered each other on as they took turns speaking. Many expressed frustrations over the proposed plan to close seven schools, consolidate two, and redesign one.  Advocates rally in San Jose for mental health services to be restored "The decision to close the Renaissance seems more like a political maneuver than one made of the best interest of our students,” one speaker said.  On Nov. 4, the superintendent released a list of recommended schools that would close next school year. The board explained their decision-making at the meeting. The district says they are facing a $20 million dollar due to declining enrollment, lower birth rates and the end of temporary COVID relief funding. "We felt betrayed basically,” said a teacher named Martin. "Really the best thing about a neighborhood are the schools. When you lose the schools you lose the heart of the neighborhood." The district also plans to reduce staffing levels across the district. Parents say it’s going to cause major discontent within their families. "We would have to be driving our kids to two different schools now, and they are both on opposite sides of the city. So we would not only have to find transportation, it's going to cost more money and time,” said Rafael Nieves a parent at the Aptitud Community Academy at Goss. Nieves has two kids at the school. The proposed plan is to send students to two different schools. Above all, he says he’s worried about his kids’ safety. "The school where they want to send our school and our children is infested by gangs. Not once did they bring up children safety, their academics. It's all about money,” he said.  The board says nothing has been decided yet. The final vote will be on Dec. 2. They have to submit a fiscal stabilization plan to the Santa Clara County Office of Education by Dec. 16.