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Good morning! This is Alex with Chalkbeat New York.

Allegations that Chancellor Kamar Samuels violated the Education Department’s contracting policies in a prior role are prompting at least one local lawmaker to question his leadership — and putting a spotlight on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s promise to reform the procurement process.

Our top story this morning examines the no-bid contract at the center of the controversy. Based on interviews with more than a dozen people familiar with the system, we found that the cumbersome process often prevents schools from quickly securing services for students. Many said they were unsurprised someone might try to break the rules.

Also in today’s roundup, we spoke to some of the student athletes who were invited to march in the Knicks’ championship parade.

Local education coverage is disappearing. Chalkbeat helps families and educators understand what’s changing. We can’t do it without you.

New York High Schoolers Might Be Getting a New Diploma. Here’s What to Know. New York Focus

‘Once in a lifetime’: NYC Kids, Parents on Missing School for the Knicks Parade, The 74

Pencils Up! The Knicks on Broadway, The New Yorker (paywall)

NYC ordered to pay $18M in case of music teacher who molested student 50 years ago, New York Post