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It was the second-to-last day of the school year on Friday, but at 23 schools, officials were worried that next year will be the last year ever for their schools.

On Friday, the Department of Education released the list of schools likely be closed, turned into charter schools or have most of their staff replaced over the next few years. Eleven other schools got slightly better news, that they most will see new principals and teachers in the hallways.

"Certain principals will have to be let go, by virtue of the mandates of the federal government. In many cases, that's a good thing," said Deputy Schools Chancellor John White.

The federal government is providing the funding to fix some of the nation's worst schools. The state chose 34 city schools for the program and the city decided which of them would be closed or dramatically changed.

Some well-known city schools face closure, include Richmond Hill High School in Queens, Boys and Girls High in Brooklyn and Washington Irving High in Manhattan.

For the schools slated to be changed under the federal mandate, any principal on the job for more than three years would automatically let go. That includes principals who have been on the job for as long as 15 years.

Ernest Logan, the principals' union president, called the rule "ludicrous" and said, "It makes no sense to suggest removing the Principals of these schools while retaining all the teachers. It is foolish to assume that the Principals of these schools bear sole responsibility."

Schools Chancellor Joel Klein said the changes are all for the better.

"We had a list of 34 schools, and so working together with the [United Federation of Teachers], we came up with a proposal that I think is really good," said Klein. "For the first time, [there's] significant ability to attract highly effective teachers to struggling schools."

Before the city can close any school, it is required by state law to hold public hearings. Since the city ran into trouble when it tried to close 19 schools in January, DOE officials are likely to be much more careful to follow the letter of the law this time around.