This story was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit newsroom covering education in Chicago. Sign up for their newsletters here.

CHICAGO — Chicago school board members clashed over a controversial payment to a city pension fund as they weighed in on the district’s $10.2 billion budget proposal unveiled for the first time Wednesday.

The budget, which covers the 2025-26 school year, was delayed well past the July 1 start of the fiscal year due to former CEO Pedro Martinez’ departure earlier this summer and efforts to close a gaping $734 million budget deficit.

Interim CEO Macquline King, a former mayor’s office employee, put forward the spending plan, which the 21-member school board must approve by the end of the month. It does not include a reimbursement to the city for the $17

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