Dear Commons Community,

The New York Daily News is reporting that former New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein closely coordinated with charter school lobbyists on a 2010 campaign in Albany, even helping to raise money for private groups.  A slew of emails released Friday shows:

“As part of the effort to increase the number of charter schools in New York, Department of Education officials and charter supporters tallied votes from legislators together, collaborated on op-ed pieces and applauded each other while bashing critics — as well as state Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch,…

In one of the cozy communications — obtained by the Daily News after the teachers union requested them under the Freedom of Information Law — New York City Charter School Center executive director James Merriman asks Klein for a “public shoutout from mayor today.”

Two of the emails revolve around an apparent fund-raising call involving Klein, Deputy Chancellor John White and others. In an email from White, Klein is directed on what talking points to discuss in a call that was to include “options for funders…

Dick Dadey, of good-government group Citizens Union, called Klein’s use of his public email address to help raise money a “gray area” requiring approval from the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board.  “A city official should not be raising money for a private enterprise using government resources…”