On the heels of Cathie Black’s bombshell resignation from her post as chancellor of the city’s schools, one local politician was able to take a good deal of credit for her downfall.

Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries had been a vocal opponent of Black since Mayor Bloomberg appointed her in November.

“The resignation represents an extraordinary public acknowledgement by City Hall that Black’s appointment did not serve the best interest of our public school children,” said Jeffries, D-Fort Greene. “Our 1.1 million public school children have been on a rudderless ship in the education high seas, and parents were left without a qualified captain.”

Indeed, the Assemblyman was the public face of a coalition that filed a lawsuit against the state waiver granted Black, which allowed her to take the job despite a lack of experience in education.

Jeffries had called Black an “unqualified chancellor” who put “New York City children at risk.” 

The coalition’s lawsuit ultimately failed, but Jeffries continued to criticize her appointment.

“Now is not the time for on-the-job training,” he said at his annual State of the District address.

Bloomberg said on Thursday that Black’s reputation had become a distraction.

“We both agreed the story had really become about her and away from the kids, and that’s not good. We’ve got to focus on what’s good for the kids.”

Black will be replaced Dennis Walcott, a mayoral aide with a deep background in education.

Jeffries struck a conciliatory tone regarding Black’s successor.

“I have disagreed often with Mayor Bloomberg on his education decisions, but the appointment of Dennis Walcott is a significant step in the right direction," he said.