An organization based in Los Angeles is set to present Alberto Carvalho, the former superintendent of public schools, with a “Courage in Leadership” award during a glamorous event in Hollywood on Wednesday evening, according to information obtained by The Post.
The education-focused nonprofit, Families in Schools, plans to commend Carvalho for his vocal opposition to the immigration enforcement policies implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump, as detailed on the organization’s website.
At 61, Carvalho, who initially came to the United States as an undocumented teenager from Portugal, was dismissed from his position with the Los Angeles Unified School District in February after the FBI conducted searches at his residence and workplace.
Since the dramatic FBI raids on February 25th, which disrupted his career, Carvalho has remained out of the public eye, avoiding any media spotlight.
The FBI’s unexpected operations not only focused on Carvalho but also extended to the Miami residence of a technology consultant linked to a controversial agreement with LA Unified. This involved a problematic startup tasked with supplying an AI-powered chatbot to the district, which is the country’s second-largest.
Yolie Flores, the CEO of Families in Schools, articulated in a statement on their website that the honor is in recognition of Carvalho’s initiatives to safeguard LAUSD students and families from Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
“Courage isn’t about doing what’s right when it’s easy. It’s about staying true to your values when it’s hard and the stakes are high,” said Flores in the statement posted online.
“This past year, Superintendent Carvalho has modeled what it means to be a courageous leader and to stand with families,” she added.
According to the group’s web site, the Courage in Leadership Award “honors district leaders,” for “protecting children’s safety, dignity, and belonging in the face of ICE aggression.”
The prize will be presented to Carvalho at an Anniversary Benefit Gala hosted by Families in Schools at the showy Taglyan Complex to celebrate twenty-five years in business.
Star-studded parties held at the fancy event space in the past have featured boldface names ranging from 50-Cent to Hillary Clinton.
“From its star-studded corporate events and opulent wedding celebrations to the venue’s integral involvement in local charitable organizations, Taglyan Complex is unmatched in elegance, ambiance, and integrity,” states the venue’s website.
Carvalho and Flores did not respond to requests for comments. It was unclear if Carvalho would attend the event.
He was spotted for the first time since the raids last month, shopping at a Vons supermarket in Palos Verdes with his wife Maria near the spacious home the two share together.
The schools boss has not been charged with any crime and has earned more than $100,000 in taxpayer dollars since the FBI raided his home and offices. He leads a relaxed life without any work duties, spending most of his time at the couple’s $2.5 million home.
Federal authorities have refused to provide specific details on the investigation into Carvalho, but sources say it is linked to a corruption scandal over a botched contract with a disgraced AI education company whose founder faced her own federal criminal charges.
LAUSD put Carvalho on paid leave as reports about the scope of the FBI’s investigation became clear, and the district’s board brought in Andrés Chait as acting superintendent, with Chait earning $396,000 plus a car allowance.
The school district is still in crisis mode as it faces a staggering $1.6 billion deficit by 2027-2028 — while enrollment plummets and test scores have stagnated. LAUSD has also struggled with potential school closures and rough negotiations with powerful unions.
Sonja Shaw, the Republican pick for California state superintendent, which oversees statewide education, said Carvalho is an odd choice for an award from any organization, when an FBI investigation into his dealing is still ongoing.
“California students are falling behind, parents have lost trust, and LAUSD remains under an FBI cloud. Calling this ‘courage in leadership’ is hard for families to understand,” Shaw told The Post.
“This is just another sign of the culture of fraud and corruption that California operates under,” added Shaw, who’s president of the Chino Valley School Board. “They’re so brazen that even in the middle of a federal investigation, they still give each other awards.”
Families in Schools says on its website that its mission is to “ensure student success by building authentic partnerships between families, educators, and system leaders, and through parent-led advocacy.”
The LA-based nonprofit took in $946,235 during the fiscal year that ended in June, according to tax records.
Flores was paid a salary of $237,854 for her role as president and CEO, plus another $24,819 in additional compensation. She said on tax forms that she works 80 hours per week on average at her job.
