The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is still readjusting after its superintendent, Alberto Carvalho, was placed on administrative leave February 27 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided his home and office February 25.
The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education voted “unanimously” to place Carvalho on paid administrative leave “pending investigation” in a statement issued February 27, and named Andrés Chait as acting superintendent.
LA Unified Board of Education member Nick Melvoin said that the board took “swift and necessary action to make sure that the district continues unimpeded” amidst the ongoing investigation of Carvalho.
“The board continues to meet to collect the facts as we know them and make the best decisions for the students of LAUSD,” he said.
The federal investigation into Carvalho is reportedly connected to AllHere Education, the A.I. company contracted with LAUSD’s multimillion-dollar chatbot initiative, known as “Ed”, announced in March 2024. However, AllHere collapsed into bankruptcy, and its founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, was charged with fraud.
In a statement issued March 10 through Holland & Knight, a law firm representing Carvalho, the superintendent “remains confident that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students. We hope the school board reinstates him promptly to his position as superintendent.”
As of last Friday, the federal investigation into Carvalho is still ongoing.
Chait, the acting superintendent, has worked in the district for decades, including as a kindergarten teacher, principal, and local district superintendent. Chait most recently served as Chief of School Operations for LAUSD before being named acting superintendent.
While it is currently unclear as to how long Chait will stay within the role of acting superintendent, Melvoin said that Chait was chosen for “his capability in continuing the work.”
“He is seamlessly transitioning into that role and is continuing to implement the strategic plan and work with the board to improve outcomes for kids in the district,” he said.
Chait reflected on his time within the role of acting superintendent in an email sent to district parents and teachers March 26.
“I deeply appreciate the outpouring of encouragement, as well as feedback from those expressing their hopes and fears,” he said in the statement. “My commitment is to continue listening and making our school communities safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environments in which our students can thrive.”
Chait visited Venice High School the morning of March 16, along with other schools in the district later that day, according to principal Yavonka Hairston-Truitt.
“It was really nice to have him on campus,” she said. “He’s very personable.”
Hairston-Truitt said that he made the parents and teachers he visited throughout his visit feel “welcome.”
“I think that’s something to be said about his character,” she said. “I think that hopefully right now he’s the right person for this time.”
