LAUSD Superintendent Resigns Months After FBI Raid
Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District — the second-largest school system in the United States — resigned effective June 21, 2026, nearly four months after the FBI executed search warrants at his office, his San Pedro home, and a property near Miami, Florida. The resignation, submitted in a letter to the LAUSD Board of Education, brings an end to a four-year tenure marked by significant academic gains but overshadowed by an ongoing federal investigation.
The FBI Investigation
On February 25, 2026, FBI agents served search warrants at Carvalho’s office near LAUSD headquarters, his home in San Pedro, and a house near Miami, Florida, according to NBC News. The FBI has not publicly disclosed the specific focus of its investigation, and Carvalho has not been charged with any crime.
Court records and reporting indicate the probe is connected to LAUSD’s $6 million contract with AllHere Education, a now-defunct AI startup that developed a chatbot called “Ed” for the district. The chatbot was designed to serve as a personal assistant for students and parents, tracking grades and providing educational and mental health resources. LAUSD had reportedly paid AllHere $3 million in advance before the company collapsed.
Joanna Smith-Griffin, founder and former CEO of AllHere, was arrested and charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft. Carvalho is not named in that investigation, and his legal team has maintained his innocence throughout.
Administrative Leave and Resignation
Two days after the FBI raid, the LAUSD Board of Education unanimously voted to place Carvalho on paid administrative leave. Andrés Chait, a longtime educator, was named acting superintendent and will remain in that role until a permanent decision is made, as USA Today reported.
In his resignation letter, Carvalho cited his desire to keep the district focused on students. “Placing students first has always guided my work,” he wrote. “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.”
The LAUSD Board acknowledged receipt of the resignation and stated: “The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership.”
Carvalho’s Legacy
Carvalho, who previously served as superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools for over a decade, took the helm of LAUSD in 2022. During his tenure, he touted significant academic achievements, including the highest Smarter Balanced Assessment scores in district history, the highest graduation rate ever, and expanded Advanced Placement participation. He was unanimously reappointed by the school board in late 2025 and was praised by California Governor Gavin Newsom for the district’s academic progress, as noted by The 74 Million.
Broader Oversight Concerns
The Carvalho resignation comes amid multiple scandals that have raised questions about governance at LAUSD. A former IT employee, Hong “Grace” Peng, was charged in a separate $22 million contract fraud and money-laundering scheme that prosecutors described as one of the largest in district history, according to the LA Daily News.
Julie Van Winkle, vice president of United Teacher Los Angeles, told reporters that “that kind of money could fund many teacher positions or counselor positions at our schools,” highlighting concerns about the district’s spending priorities.
What’s Next for LAUSD
Acting Superintendent Andrés Chait will continue to lead the district of approximately 400,000 students. The board is expected to discuss the district’s leadership at a meeting this Wednesday. Chait has already been responsible for navigating labor negotiations — ultimately avoiding a massive strike — and implementing a significant reduction-in-force plan.
The status of the federal investigation into Carvalho remains unclear. His legal team from Holland & Knight LLP has stated that “no evidence has been presented by prosecutors supporting any allegation that Mr. Carvalho violated federal law.” The district faces ongoing challenges including declining enrollment, budget pressures, and the need to restore public trust in its leadership and oversight mechanisms.