Opinion

The education ex-mayor

Seems Mike Bloomberg wants to hold on to mayoral control of the schools even after he gives up his mayoralty.

As The Post’s Yoav Gonen reported last week, Bloomberg is developing four charter schools that would open in high-poverty neighborhoods in the city in the fall of 2014, when the next mayor is in office.

The schools are covered in Mike’s prints: Their funding comes from Bloomberg’s Young Men’s Initiative and their plans are being drawn up by top officials at Bloomberg’s Department of Education.

At times we’ve been critical of the way Bloomberg mixes his private philanthropy and public office. For example, his top deputy mayor, Patti Harris, is also CEO of his family foundation.

But if this is how Bloomberg plans to meddle after he leaves office, we’re pleased as punch. What better way to contribute to this city come 2014 than by using his money to offer New York families better schools and more choices?

His intriguing proposal, which needs state approval, pairs the launch of the charters with four new district schools — letting all eight share resources and collaborate on academics. That should boost their performance and quiet critics who say charters steal from their sister schools.

But this is about more than eight schools.

No one knows who our next mayor will be. If the next occupant of Gracie Mansion is hostile to real school reform, the gains of the Bloomberg era would be threatened and students would suffer. But if Bloomberg uses his time and talent to build good schools and speak up for reform, he could rescue hundreds of students from lousy classrooms — in the process becoming New York’s education ex-mayor.

Which is why we hope this is only the start of Mike’s days as a schoolmaster.