The Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Alberto Carvalho, recently announced his resignation following an FBI raid on his home and office earlier this year. Carvalho, who was appointed to lead the nation’s second-largest school district in 2022, decided to step down to eliminate distractions from student learning.
Carvalho emphasized his commitment to placing students first in his statement, saying, “Because I believe our schools must remain focused on students and learning without distraction, I am resigning as Superintendent of LAUSD effective today, June 21, 2026.” His resignation coincides with an ongoing investigation into a failed multimillion-dollar AI school contract that may involve conflicts of interest.
Successful Tenure Ends
Carvalho’s departure marks the end of his four-year tenure, during which he was unanimously reappointed by the district’s School Board in fall 2025. In his resignation letter, Carvalho noted several achievements, including record-breaking graduation rates, improved academic performance compared to pre-pandemic levels, and equitable progress for disadvantaged students.
“I leave grateful — to our students and families, whose protection we prioritized, for trusting us, to our exceptional and hard-working teachers, leaders, and staff at every level for their tireless dedication,” Carvalho stated.
The LAUSD Board responded to his resignation with a commitment to maintain public trust. “Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve,” the Board declared.
Ongoing Investigation
Andrés E. Chait will serve as acting superintendent until a permanent replacement is found. The investigation linked to Carvalho involves a failed $6 million AI contract with AllHere, a startup that aimed to develop a student-facing chatbot.
In February, FBI agents were seen executing search warrants at Carvalho’s home and the LAUSD headquarters. The searches extended to homes connected to Carvalho’s associate, Debra Kerr, and to Kerr’s Miami residence, due to her long-standing relationship with Carvalho. These searches were associated with the $6 million contract, which reportedly included $3 million upfront.
The AllHere project disintegrated in 2024 following accusations against founder Joanna Smith-Griffith of embezzling funds and whistleblower allegations over data privacy concerns.