LA Schools Chief Resigns in Wake of February FBI Search

The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools has resigned four months after he was put on paid leave during a federal investigation, the district's Board of Education said Monday. The FBI served search warrants on Feb. 25 at Alberto Carvalho's home and the LA Unified School District's headquarters. Two days later, the district's Board of Education voted unanimously to place him on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Carvalho denied any wrongdoing and had asked to be reinstated as head of the nation's second-largest district, but in its statement released early Monday, the Board acknowledged it received a letter of resignation from Carvalho. The resignation was effective as of Sunday. Andrés Chait, who has been acting superintendent, will remain in that position until a permanent decision is made. Authorities have not provided details of the nature of the investigation involving the district, nor have they accused Carvalho of any crimes. Carvalho became superintendent for LA in 2022. He previously led the public schools in Miami.

The AP reports FBI also searched a third location near Miami that reportedly belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with AllHere and whom the Los Angeles Times describes as "a longtime professional associate of Carvalho." In 2024, Carvalho heavily touted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named "Ed" designed to help students. But about three months after unveiling the technology and paying the company $3 million, the district dropped its dealings with AllHere, which collapsed into bankruptcy. Months later, founder Joanna Smith-Griffin was charged with securities and wire fraud, along with identity theft. At the time, Carvalho denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere. Kerr has not been charged with any wrongdoing.