Earlier this week, Mayor Francis Slay lauded the outgoing superintendent in Clayton as one of the region’s education “heroes.”

On Tuesday, Slay submitted a thick campaign finance report that showed a contribution from another figure in local public education history — and who might be considered a hero, depending strongly on your definition of hero.

Slay’s massive fundraising report — he pulled in nearly $311,00 since April — showed donations from hundreds of individuals, including William V. Roberti, the corporate turnaround artist who led St. Louis Public Schools for the 2003-04 school year.

Roberti had the support of Slay, but his gruff manner and high bills — he charged $425 an hour — irked plenty of others.

Have Roberti and Slay stayed in touch? Enough, apparently, that Roberti sent a $1,350 check for the mayor’s re-election bid.

Others who helped out Slay include the usual crop of lawyers, developers and city employees. He even got several donations from Anheuser-Busch, which might be the last time he sees those.

Slay held two major fundraising events this period, one at the recently opened Chaifetz Arena, the other at the recently closed Balaban’s in the Central West End.

He’s also doing some field work: His expense report shows about $1,700 to Democratic strategist Joyce Aboussie’s phone-survey company.

Still more than seven months away from the March 2009 and without any declared opposition, Slay’s formidable war chest is serving notice to potential rivals: Bring it on — but prepare for an expensive fight.