Critics of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision and pending deal to appoint magazine editor Cathie Black as Schools Chancellor held a rally Sunday where they called for more transparency in the process.

The group of parents and community leaders gathered outside the Education Department's headquarters at the Tweed Courthouse in Lower Manhattan where they chanted the phrase "deny the waiver."

"Last week, Commissioner Steiner and the panel, unequivocally said that Cathie Black does not have the qualifications to be chancellor. This circumvention of the law is completely unacceptable," said city parent Mona Davis.

"We must educate our children, to be educated properly and they must be entitled to the free and appropriate education that's guaranteed to them by law," said city teacher Carmen Applewhite.

Black needs a waiver to become chancellor because she has no educational experience.

Under a compromise reached Friday by city and state officials, State Education Commissioner David Steiner has agreed to grant the waiver because Black will appoint a deputy with an academic background to serve under her.

The mayor's office says that deputy will be Shael Polakow-Suransky, 38.

He currently serves as the city's Deputy Chancellor for Accountability and Performance.

Meantime, City Councilman Charles Barron says he will try to get a temporary restraining order to keep Black from getting the waiver.

He's also urging parents to keep their children out of school until, in his words, a qualified chancellor is selected.

An official familiar with the matter tells NY1 Commissioner Steiner is expected to accept the waiver request Monday.