It took just 16 minutes to end a 13-year relationship.

Kaleida Health says its bid to provide nurses for Buffalo Public Schools was rejected by the district because it was 16 minutes late.

When Erie County stopped funding nurses in schools, the Buffalo Public School District began awarding contracts for the service, selected by applications submitted through a formal process.

Bids were due at 11 a.m. on January 4.

Kaleida sent its electronic copy in at 10:57, but didn't deliver the hard copy until 11:16.

After nearly five months of waiting for a response, Kaleida was notified a few weeks ago it was no longer in the running for the contract.

The Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization is concerned a change in the health care provider could jeopardize the quality of care students receive.

It's circulating a petition to have the 73 Kaleida nurses, including pediatric registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, kept in schools.

These efforts are nearing the deadline, as these nurses are facing elimination at the next Buffalo Board of Education Meeting on May 16.

Parents, teachers, students and nurses pleaded their case at School 89 Wednesday afternoon.

"We're talking about kids who have diabetes, life-threatening allergies, and we haven't heard stories about nurses not doing their job in the district for years and there's a reason for it, because they're providing competent high-quality care," said Rachel Dominguez of the Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization.  

A district spokesperson has said previously they are still in the process of reviewing proposals for the contract and will not comment at this time.