The man who granted embattled former NYC Schools Chancellor Cathie Black a controversial waiver enabling her to take the job she lost this morning might be following her out the door.

State Education Commissioner David Steiner’s departure is “imminent,” The Post’s Brendan Scott reports. A source with knowledge of Steiner’s plans confirmed for CapTon’s Nick Reisman that Steiner is indeed on the way out the door.

A formal statement is expected later today.

Steiner was confirmed by the Board of Regents in July 2009 to replace outgoing commissioner Richard Mills. Prior to this post, he was the dean of Hunter College. (The governor does not control the selection of the education commissioner – a fact that has long been a thorn in the side of any number of executives).

State Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch confirmed during an interview with the Capitol Pressroom’s Susan Arbetter this morning that Steiner is “exploring his options,” but hastened to add: “I think no decision has been made.”

Tisch praised Steiner, saying: “He put together a brilliant application for Race to the Top and created an extraordinary vision for educational reform … But, as I said, no decision has been made.”

Steiner was roundly criticized for heeding Mayor Bloomberg’s request to grant Black a waiver to run the nation’s largest public school system even though she had no experience as an educator. (That decision was challenged and upheld in court).

As a compromise, Bloomberg agreed to install a chief academic officer as Black’s No. 2 who will be staying on when Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott takes the helm.

Walcott also needs a waiver. He attended public school, has taught kindergarten and holds a masters degree in education, but lacks the required certification as a school administrator. Bloomberg said today that he expects Walcott to receive the waiver in short order.

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