Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool told aldermen and staff in closed door briefings Thursday, that the school district had a “balanced budget” but avoided answering specifics, according to those present. Following the briefings and speaking anonymously, half a dozen Aldermen and staff told The Daily Line that the district’s budget seems far from balanced, and could have as much as a $674 million budget gap. Aldermen seeking answers were stymied by CPS staff in the briefings, and were frustrated with the lack of answers.