“It puts us in a very significant situation with the budget,” D’Alessandro said. “I was disappointed in the city council.”

The battle over elementary school consolidation has taken months. But the latest plan was offered just two weeks ago, and parents sharply criticized the way it had been drawn up, saying they had been left out of the discussion.

“For the last year you have squandered our energy,” said Graham and Parks parent Guy Stuart. “You didn’t ask me to get involved. When people are behind the plan, the plan works, so listen to the parents.”

Parent criticism reached high fervor last night. As Turkel offered her 11th-hour plan, Harrington parent Karen M. Thomas began shouting vehemently and stormed out of the room.

“Excuse me, but nobody needs to take my kid,” she yelled.

Later, Turkel said, “I know this is unpopular, but it’s the responsible thing to do.”

She said postponing the school closure issue would only prolong a process she called “extremely damaging to parents.”

Committee member Nancy Walser cast the lone dissenting vote against postponement.

Even the committee members who supported putting off closures acknowledged that the decision was not a victory.

“I don’t see tonight as a win,” said Mayor Michael A. Sullivan, who chairs the committee.

Though some parents said they appreciate having an extra six months, many said they worry the committee will never reach a solution.

“If they honor it, it’s a good vote,” said Graham and Parks parent Andrew E. Farrar. “It was a way out for tonight and could be a way out in May and in June.”

—Staff writer Claire A. Pasternack can be reached at cpastern@fas.harvard.edu.