The U.S. Department of Education is investigating LAUSD over alleged mishandling of sexual misconduct cases, adding new pressure to a district already facing budget deficits, leadership turmoil, and declining trust among Los Angeles families.
The Los Angeles Unified School District appears to get no relief.
The year 2026 has been marked by a series of scandals. Just when it seems one has ended and teachers, administrators, and students can refocus on learning, another accusation emerges, calling into question how the nation’s second largest school district is being run.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Los Angeles Unified School District for allegedly protecting perpetrators of sexual misconduct, the agency announced Tuesday.
The investigation focuses on a 2024 agreement between LAUSD and United Teachers Los Angeles. It highlights clauses stating that teachers accused of misconduct, including pursuing a romantic relationship with a student, would be reassigned.
Under Title IX, schools must respond appropriately and address claims of sexual misconduct, including harassment and assault, in a timely manner. However, the District appears to be prioritizing the continued employment of sexual predators over student safety, said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey in a statement issued Tuesday.
The agency’s Office for Civil Rights will determine whether the agreement violates Title IX.
If the allegation is confirmed, it would carry a severe cost for LAUSD’s future across operational, financial, and administrative areas.
In February of this year, FBI agents served warrants at the home of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and at district offices, with details sealed. All signs point to possible corruption involving contracts with a company accused of providing AI technology services to the district that were later canceled. This led Carvalho to take paid leave while investigations continue. Meanwhile, he continues to receive thousands of dollars in salary and benefits.
Additionally, the district is facing an 877 million dollar budget deficit, leading to potential layoffs of more than 700 staff members, including support roles. While a major triple union strike was avoided in April, tensions remain high over employee contract negotiations and potential school closures.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Declining student enrollment, little to no improvement in state performance standards, and a bleak outlook paint a troubling picture.
The Los Angeles Unified School District spans roughly 710 square miles and spends nearly 20 billion dollars annually. Few public institutions in the United States attempt to govern such a vast and diverse student population under a single centralized bureaucracy. Yet for all that scale and spending, results remain painfully mediocre, especially for low income and historically marginalized students who rely most on public schools. Latino students make up nearly three fourths of the district’s population, according to the Daily News.
This is not simply a management problem. It is a structural one.
Too many LAUSD students are not reading at grade level, one of the clearest predictors of long term academic and economic success. In assessment after assessment, most Latino and Black third graders fall short of proficiency.
Yesterday, LAUSD officials defended themselves against the federal accusations.
The district said there appears to be confusion about its definition of reassignment. Typically, reassignment means staff are directed to remain at home and away from schools and students while an investigation is ongoing. Decisions are based on student and staff safety, and disciplinary action, including termination, may occur if warranted.
Los Angeles Unified takes all allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment with the utmost seriousness, a spokesperson told EdSource. Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, dignity, and well being of every student and staff member in our care.
LAUSD also maintains that it follows Title IX procedures and other relevant laws. The district says it works to prevent misconduct by reviewing and strengthening its policies.
When allegations are reported, they are promptly reviewed and appropriate interim measures are implemented to protect those involved. If violations are substantiated, the district takes decisive action in accordance with the law and its policies.
Meanwhile, distractions persist and the number of problems continues to grow for interim mayor Andres Chait.
At the same time, the group Parents Supporting Teachers criticized the federal investigation, blaming it on an attack by the Trump administration against LAUSD.
Trump’s Department of Education is ridiculous and working overtime to find something, anything, in order to disrupt our work, the group said.
