Charter School Reformers on a 'Secret' Mission to Dilute Power of Teacher’s Union

Democrats for Education Reform, a backer of charter schools, plans to dilute the power of the teacher’s union in New York City’s mayoral race, calling for their financial backers to spread their donations among City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former Comptroller Bill Thompson and former Rep. Anthony Weiner, according to a confidential memo obtained by Crain’s.

The memo outlines an orchestrated attempt by reformists to its hedge funders to ensure that the two candidates who make it to the runoff are acceptable to education reformers. It urged members to "quietly" support and not "publicly alienate" Quinn while suggesting “small-donor fundraising” for Thompson and Weiner.

"This memo reads like a desperate attempt to assure [its] funders among the 1 percent that the organization retains a shred of relevance," said a spokesman for The United Federation of Teachers.

Joe Williams, who runs the reform group, emailed back, "Whatever."