Chalk one up for Bill Thompson!
The city teachers’ union is putting its significant manpower and money behind Thompson in the race for mayor.
The former comptroller and Board of Education president got the official nod from the United Federation of Teachers late yesterday after emerging as the heavy favorite to win the powerful union’s coveted backing.
Thompson has echoed a number of UFT positions on education policy — including support for lowering class sizes, and opposition to school closures and the placement of charter schools in public buildings without community input.
He has also said he’d free the school-policy board from serving as a rubber stamp for the mayor’s policies by relinquishing majority control of appointments to the board.
“It’s a significant endorsement,” said Jerry Skurnik, a city-based political consultant.
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio had been seen as the other top contender for the UFT backing.
His campaign spokesman declined to comment.