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GATES’ $4 MIL LESSON

America’s richest man chipped in to help preserve mayoral control of New York City schools.

Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates — a pal of fellow billionaire Mayor Bloomberg — has secretly bankrolled Learn-NY, the group that joined the campaign led by The Post to extend mayoral control.

Gates funneled about $4 million to the pro-mayoral-control forces during the fierce, dragged-out legislative debate, The Post has learned. A spokesman for Gates confirmed the donation and the approximate size.

The donation helped pay for Learn-NY’s extensive public-relations, media and lobbying efforts in Albany and the city. The effort include advertisements, parent organizing and canvassing — including a five-borough bus tour and trips to the state capital.

Gates gave the money from his personal pocket — not from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which has pumped $150 million into the city to develop small schools.

He made it clear that he liked having city CEOs in charge of education decision-making and accountable for results.

“You want to allow for experimentation. The cities where our foundation has put the most money is where there is a single person responsible. In New York, Chicago and Washington, DC, the mayor has the responsibility for the school system,” Gates said during a CNN appearance.

Another billionaire philanthropist — Eli Broad, a proponent of charter schools — also gave millions to Learn-NY.

In related news, Bloomberg defended budgeting 8 percent raises for teachers over the next two years in spite of tough economic times, as The Post reported yesterday.

“It would be irresponsible when all of the other unions have gotten [similar raises] for us not to put the pattern into the budget,” he said.

“Things are going to be different down the road as we continue to talk to the UFT.”

carl.campanile@nypost.com