The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is facing national scrutiny after the controversial contract extension of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. Despite clear warning signs and growing pressure from parents, teachers, and advocacy groups, the LAUSD Board of Education extended Carvalho’s contract for four more years, leaving the district in an economic and academic crisis.
Controversy Before the Contract Extension
Before the October 2025 contract renewal, several issues raised red flags:
Failed AI Chatbot Project “Ed”: The $6 million project was widely criticized by parents and teachers as a failure, prompting calls for Carvalho’s dismissal.
Response to the 2025 Fires: Carvalho kept schools open in evacuation zones, raising safety concerns.
Financial Mismanagement Allegations: The district faced a lawsuit from former superintendent Austin Beutner alleging misallocation of nearly $77 million in voter-approved arts education funds to cover general operating costs.
Despite these warnings, Carvalho dismissed the complaints, further straining relationships with advocacy groups.
Criticism of the Board’s Decision
Parent and teacher groups, including Parents Supporting Teachers, criticized the Board for a “quiet renewal,” conducted behind closed doors without public input or a formal performance evaluation.
Union leaders from United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) also expressed frustration, accusing Carvalho of prioritizing social media branding over supporting educators and school staff.
Contract Extension and Justifications
On September 17, 2025, the LAUSD Board voted unanimously (7-0) to extend Carvalho’s contract through February 2030. The Board cited several achievements:
Academic gains
Stability and leadership
Financial management
Support for vulnerable students
Operational success
While the contract renewal highlighted these accomplishments, it now raises questions in light of recent events.
FBI Investigation and the Fallout
In February 2026, the FBI conducted raids on Carvalho’s home and office, reportedly investigating financial irregularities tied to the failed AI chatbot project “Ed.” This has put the School Board under immense pressure to respond.
The Board faces critical decisions: whether to continue backing Carvalho or appoint an interim leader to navigate the district through this federal investigation and ongoing challenges.
School Board Statement
Shortly after a recent meeting, the Board issued a statement:
“The Board of Education has recessed its special closed-session meeting and will reconvene tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. to continue its deliberations. The district continues normal operations across all schools and offices. We are grateful to our dedicated employees, families, and students for their steady focus and commitment to our school communities.”
It remains unclear how long the federal investigation will last, leaving the community and stakeholders in uncertainty.
Accountability Questions Remain
The key question is: What is the School Board’s responsibility, and why has it taken so long to address the consequences of extending Carvalho’s contract? The controversy highlights serious gaps in oversight and raises urgent concerns about accountability in LAUSD.
