BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo's District Parent Coordinating Council rallied outside the Buffalo Teachers Federation office Wednesday, calling on the union and Buffalo Public Schools to resolve their dispute over cutting teacher positions at City Honors School.

Parents are urging both sides to not disrupt the school year and put their legal battle on hold until students are out in June. 

It’s the latest chapter in the dispute, which centers around the elimination of five and a half teaching positions at City Honors and the hiring of 16 aides to perform non-teaching duties not required at the school. District leaders say the cuts are needed to balance the school's budget.

Tuesday was supposed to be the day the teachers were let go, until union leaders had a temporary restraining ordered issued to prevent that from happening.

The district has asked the judge to recuse himself because of a distant family connection to the school. A hearing on that issue is set for Friday before a decision is made on whether to uphold the temporary order.

"It is now expected that the students at City Honors give up their music program, give up their teachers, give up classes. Basically give up the stability and consistency they deserve and need to learn," said Kelly Hall, DPCC transportation chair.

The council has invited both sides, as well as elected leaders and parents, to a meeting on March 8 at 5 p.m. inside the Buffalo Irish Center.