The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) placed Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on paid administrative leave Friday, just two days after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided his home and district office — a dramatic development that has shaken the nation’s second-largest school district.
The LAUSD Board of Education made the decision following back-to-back emergency closed sessions but declined to release further details, fueling public speculation and concern among the district’s roughly 400,000 students, families, and employees.
No Charges Filed, But Questions Mount
Carvalho has not been formally accused of wrongdoing, and no charges have been announced. However, the secrecy surrounding the investigation and the board’s swift action have intensified scrutiny.
When asked whether the board would address the situation publicly, Board President Scott Schmerelson responded with a firm “No,” offering no additional explanation.
The lack of transparency has raised questions about district leadership stability and governance at a critical time for LAUSD.
FBI Investigation May Be Linked to Tech Startup AllHere
While the specific target of the investigation remains unclear, several sources familiar with the matter suggest it may be connected to a two-year-old criminal probe involving the troubled tech startup AllHere.
The company previously received a $6 million LAUSD contract to develop an AI chatbot for district schools. The startup later collapsed amid fraud allegations, drawing federal scrutiny.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether Carvalho is directly connected to that probe.
Interim Leadership Appointed
In a unanimous vote, the board appointed Andres Chait, a longtime district administrator and chief of school operations, as interim superintendent.
Under California law, emergency board meetings require 24 hours’ notice. The district posted notice Wednesday — just hours after the FBI raids became public.
Limited Public Comments as Community Reacts
Thursday’s board meeting opened with public comment, although participation was limited. Parents and activists expressed general concerns about the investigation and the district’s direction, but many community members appeared stunned and uncertain how to respond.
Board members remained grim-faced and largely silent throughout the proceedings.
Growing Calls for Transparency
With one of the country’s largest public school systems facing uncertainty, education advocates and parents are calling for greater transparency from district leadership.
As the investigation unfolds, key questions remain:
What prompted the FBI raids?
Is Superintendent Carvalho personally under investigation?
How will this affect LAUSD’s operations and students?
For now, officials remain tight-lipped, leaving families and staff searching for answers.
