LAUSD Superintendent Steps Down Amid FBI Investigation

The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Alberto Carvalho, has resigned following an FBI raid on his home and office earlier this year. Carvalho led the country’s second-largest school district. He announced his resignation on Sunday, expressing a desire to eliminate distractions from student learning.

Carvalho stated, “Putting students first has driven all my efforts.” He emphasized the need for schools to concentrate solely on student education without interruptions, announcing his resignation as effective from June 21, 2026.

This resignation coincides with ongoing investigations into a potentially problematic multimillion-dollar AI school contract. Such inquiries have raised questions about conflict-of-interest concerns.

During an event in downtown Los Angeles on October 30, 2025, Carvalho spoke at the LAUSD headquarters. His resignation marks the conclusion of his four-year leadership period, having been appointed in 2022 and reappointed in fall 2025.

In his resignation letter, Carvalho noted “historic” accomplishments, citing record-high graduation rates and enhanced academic performance compared to pre-pandemic conditions. He also acknowledged improvements in equitable progress for disadvantaged students.

Reflecting on the district’s commitment, Carvalho said, “Our executive leadership team valued achievement and equity, with a focus on our most vulnerable students.”

He expressed gratitude towards students, families, teachers, leaders, staff, partners, and the community, acknowledging their contributions to these successes.

In response, LAUSD’s Board committed to maintaining public trust, emphasizing stability and continued progress for all students.

The acting superintendent, Andrés E. Chait, will lead the district until a permanent decision is reached.

FBI agents executed a search warrant connected to Carvalho’s home. His residence in San Pedro was searched in February, accompanied by similar operations at LAUSD headquarters and a colleague’s home tied to Carvalho.

The investigation is linked to AllHere, a former startup tasked with creating a student-facing chatbot. Carvalho granted them a $6 million contract in 2023, $3 million of which was paid upfront. However, the project failed in 2024 due to allegations of embezzlement against the company’s founder and data privacy issues.

Documents suggest Debra Kerr, an edtech salesperson with a lengthy affiliation with Carvalho, helped facilitate the deal. Reports state her Miami residence was part of the wider searches.