Dozens of parents, students and teachers gathered at P.S. 72 in East New York, Brooklyn on Friday to protest the Department of Education's decision to shut down the school.

The school received a "D" on its most recent progress report, but protestors say the school has not been given adequate resources.

Parents of special needs students, who make up about 20 percent of the school, are also worried about moving their children elsewhere.

"I had to wait for a year just for my son to attend this school, that's how long the waiting list was," said parent Regina Carlton. "And I refuse to accept any other school in the district, because I really wanted him to attend [P.S.] 72, because I know how good and hard [P.S.] 72 works with the children."

"We're telling Joel Klein that if you want to change our school, and educate our children, do the same thing the city did for Yankee Stadium, bail us out with some money," said Brooklyn Councilman Charles Barron.

The DOE said it will start phasing out students after this school year.