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Thousands across the city are waging campaigns to save their schools. They say they're not just making noise, because the Department of Education no longer has the final say on school closures.

The recently-revised state law on mayoral control puts school closures in the hands of the Panel for Educational Policy, and advocates believe they may be able to convince the panel to keep their schools open.

“I'm hoping that the public actually matters and that our voice matters, but I don't know,” said Angelyn Justian, a teacher at Global Enterprise School.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has appointed most panel members, and has not shied away from replacing members when they've disagreed with him. In fact, the panel has never rejected anything the Department of Education has put before it, but for the first time last week, it showed signs of independence.

It postponed action on the DOE’s proposals to add grades at one Bronx school and drop them at another, after a public outcry at its meeting. That gave hope to teachers who had come to lobby against school closures.

“There were instances where they proved they were listening and they did give schools a chance. So I think that we do have a chance,” said Monroe Academy for Business and Law teacher Robert Roache.

“I'd like to think that maybe for the first time they've heard us and community members. But I know the history,” said New Day Academy teacher Michael Ross.

The big test will be next month. The panel has to vote on all 20 proposed school closures, and decide where to locate several new schools, among other controversial issues. The meeting at Brooklyn Tech High School is expected to attract hundreds – if not thousands – of people.

Representatives from the schools, along with education advocates, teachers’ union officials, and local politicians say they'll be watching.

“I sure hope that they are more than a rubber stamp, that they actually access this and ask what's best for the kids,” said City Councilman Eric Gioia of Queens. “That's the only criteria that should be used.”

“If the panel has any educational integrity, it cannot close down all these schools,” said United Federation of Teachers Vice President Leo Casey.

DOE officials maintain the best solution is to close all 20 schools and open new schools in their place, but the final decision is out of their hands, and advocates for the schools say they will campaign hard for the next month to convince the panel to stand-up to the department and keep the schools open.