Turakina Maori Girls' College's fate is a step closer with closure being a likely scenario, though a final decision will be made next month.
The Marton school's future has been in doubt after its roll decreased to 49 students while the cost of building assessments and earthquake strengthening are growing.
Education Minister Hekia Parata says she's considered submissions to keep the school open, but doesn't think the proprietor can "resolve the issues it faces".
Her interim decision is that the school should close.
"In making this decision, my priority is to provide parents and students with certainty for 2016 in as timely a fashion as possible."
She has started a second round of consultations and says a final decision on the school will be made in November.
Two petitions and around 15 submissions were received during the first round of negotiations.
Last month, hundreds of students, staff and alumni braved the pouring rain and descended on Parliament to protest the proposed closure.
Ms Parata asked for more information from the proprietor based on Ministry of Education advice.
"I regret that the information provided did not give me confidence in the proprietor's ability to strengthen its financial position."
The consultation will run until November 6 and the ministry will prepare a report summarising the feedback.
If the final decision is to close the school, its last day will be on January 27 next year.
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