LANSING -- Another Lansing School Board meeting Tuesday night -- no action yet on closing one of the district's high schools.

"The worst-case scenario is uncertainty, delay, paralysis, sending a message that we're not able to make this decision, even thought it's obvious," said former Lansing Mayor David Hollister.

He argues Lansing simply has to close either Sexton or Eastern.

The administration and board members indicated Tuesday night they agree. The district, after all, faces a $20 million deficit and declining enrollment.

Hollister calls this an issue of political will.

"That's sending a message of confusion, dysfunction and the inability to make a decision -- which could be translated into a lack of political will," he said.

Board members tell News 10 they're aware a high school will likely have to be shuttered.

"We do wanna have some type of indication sometime between August and November, because you wanna give students an opportunity to plan where they want to go," said Charles Ford.

He notes this is a sensitive decision that requires consideration of academic performance, the need for repair and the saleability of each school.

But he maintains the board is capable of getting it done.

"There are gonna be some people who are not gonna be happy, and we know that's going to happen," he said. "But we've got to move forward with some of these ideas."

As for community members -- some rooting for Sexton, others for Eastern -- many were actually relieved to hear the decision has been delayed until the fall.

"While it's certainly unnerving to have that out there and know that something's gonna close but you don't know which building," said Keith Kris, who is fighting to keep Sexton open. "it's definitely a prudent decision at this time to kind of take a step back and take some time to analyze the situation."

Critics say it's simply taking too much time.