Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of Los Angeles public schools, has resigned after being placed on paid leave for four months during a federal investigation. The district's Board of Education announced his resignation, effective Sunday, following an FBI search at his home and the school district's headquarters in February. Carvalho has denied any wrongdoing and sought reinstatement as head of the nation's second-largest school district, which serves over 500,000 students.
The Board's statement emphasized its commitment to stability and quality education while acknowledging Carvalho's resignation. Andrés Chait, who has been acting as superintendent, will continue in that role until a permanent replacement is appointed. The nature of the investigation remains unclear, and no charges have been filed against Carvalho. The FBI also conducted searches at a property in Miami linked to Debra Kerr, a former associate of an education technology company that had a contract with the district before its collapse due to fraud allegations.
Carvalho had previously promoted an AI chatbot initiative in partnership with the now-defunct AllHere, which faced bankruptcy shortly after the district's investment. The fallout from this situation raises questions about governance and accountability within the Los Angeles school system, as well as the impact of external pressures on educational leadership.
As the investigation unfolds, the district aims to maintain its focus on delivering high-quality education and supporting its workforce, despite the leadership challenges it faces.