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Los Angeles Schools Chief Resigns Amidst Federal Scrutiny

A Sudden Exit Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of Los Angeles’ public schools, abruptly resigned this weekend—just four months after federal agents executed a warrant to search his home and district offices. In his resignation letter, Carvalho cited a desire to keep schools focused on education rather than legal entanglements. Notably absent? Any mention of the FBI raid or the school board’s decision to place him on paid leave immediately after the searches.

A Cloud of Suspicion While Carvalho has denied any wrongdoing, the investigation looms large. Reports later tied the probe to AllHere, an education tech company that sold LAUSD an AI chatbot for $3 million—only to collapse months later. Its founder now faces fraud charges, but authorities have yet to detail the investigation’s scope or Carvalho’s potential involvement.

A Leader with a Tough Past Carvalho arrived in LA in 2022, bringing a track record of reform from Miami, where he raised graduation rates for Black and Hispanic students despite his own challenging upbringing as a teen immigrant from Portugal. Under his leadership, Los Angeles students outperformed state averages and rebounded from pandemic disruptions—even as voters approved the largest school construction bond in district history.

A Sudden Shift in Power Just weeks before the FBI search, the board had re-signed Carvalho to a four-year extension at $440,000 annually, matching his salary since 2022. Now, interim superintendent Andrés Chait will lead while the board seeks a permanent replacement, vowing stability amid the transition.

Past Controversies Resurface Before LA, Carvalho faced scrutiny over a Miami nonprofit he led, which accepted a $1.57 million donation from an online learning company doing business with the district. Though no ethics violations were found, the inspector general deemed it improper. Instead of returning the funds, the foundation distributed $100 gift cards to teachers.

What’s Next? With Carvalho’s departure, Los Angeles’ education system faces fresh uncertainty—amidst federal investigations and leadership changes. The board has pledged to maintain continuity, but the shadow of scrutiny remains.