New York City’s schools chancellor says he doesn’t believe any of the Democratic mayoral candidates have a compelling vision to lead the school system.

Chancellor Dennis Walcott said he was “appalled” by the five candidates’ remarks at an education forum Saturday sponsored by the United Federal of Teachers.

The candidates blasted Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s education policies and pledged to change some of his signature policies
Walcott accused them of pandering to the union.

The New York Times says Walcott contacted the paper on Monday after reading a transcript of the forum discussion.

In response, City Comptroller John Liu said he didn’t believe he and the other candidates were pandering to the union.

Walcott, a Democrat, didn’t’ rule out the possibility of voting for a candidate of another party.

(AP)