The Los Angeles Unified School District’s embattled superintendent has resigned, months after FBI agents searched his home and office earlier this year.
Alberto Carvalho, who oversaw the country’s second-largest public school system, announced Sunday that he was stepping down, saying he wanted to prevent the controversy from diverting attention away from students and classroom instruction.
“Placing students first has always guided my work,” Carvalho said in a statement. “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 resignation follows continued scrutiny of an active investigation reportedly connected to a collapsed multimillion-dollar artificial intelligence contract for schools, as well as concerns about possible conflicts of interest.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho speaks during an event at the LAUSD headquarters in downtown Los Angeles on Oct. 30, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Carvalho’s departure closes a four-year chapter at LAUSD. He was first appointed to the position in 2022 and later received a unanimous reappointment from the school board in the fall of 2025.
In his resignation letter, Carvalho pointed to what he characterized as “historic” accomplishments under his leadership, citing record graduation rates, academic improvements beyond pre-pandemic benchmarks, and progress he described as “equitable” for students facing disadvantage.
“As the School Board stated, when it unanimously reappointed me late last year, our District’s executive leadership team valued achievement and equity and placed our most vulnerable students at the heart of our agenda,” he said.
“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, to our valued partners, and to the community for the privilege of serving. The successes we have achieved belong to you. I will miss all of you and will continue to pray for the success, health, and wellbeing of every student and family in our District.”
LAUSD’s Board issued a statement in response to Carvalho’s resignation, saying it remains dedicated to maintaining public trust.
“The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership,” the district said. “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.”
Acting superintendent Andrés E. Chait will continue to lead the district until a permanent decision is made, LAUSD added.
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FBI agents conducted a search warrant at a San Pedro home connected to Alberto Carvalho. (KTTV/Unknown)
Last February, video captured multiple investigators executing what appeared to be a search warrant at Carvalho’s home, carrying items in and out of the residence.
Fox 11 reported that staff members at LAUSD headquarters were also evacuated as agents arrived to conduct a similar search. In addition, a home linked to a longtime associate of Carvalho was also searched, according to the local outlet, citing FBI Miami.
The home of Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is shown in San Pedro, California. (KTTV)
While authorities have not commented on the nature of the probe, the investigation is believed to be tied to AllHere, a now-defunct startup that was contracted to develop a student-facing chatbot.
In 2023, Carvalho awarded the company a $6 million contract for the project, including $3 million upfront.
The initiative ultimately collapsed in 2024 after the company’s founder, Joanna Smith-Griffith, was accused of embezzling funds amid data privacy concerns and whistleblower allegations.
The AllHere deal was reportedly facilitated with the help of Debra Kerr, an edtech salesperson who maintained a long-standing personal friendship and professional association with Carvalho dating back to the 2000s, according to public records cited by the Los Angeles Times. Kerr’s Miami home was among those targeted during the broader LAUSD-related searches, according to reports.
