For Marelyn Avila, the debate over whether LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is innocent or guilty of any charges that may be filed by the FBI is not a reason to hesitate in removing him from his position.
“His innocence or guilt is yet to be seen. However, anyone facing an investigation and/or charges will not have the attention and focus needed to run a school district — especially the second-largest school district. And if it’s due to fraud, then that person should be put on some type of leave,” she wrote on the Facebook page of the group Parents Supporting Teachers.
On Thursday morning, this organization called on the Los Angeles Unified School District to place Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on administrative leave following an FBI raid on his home and office on Wednesday.
The group said it wants “to ensure continuity of leadership and stability across the district,” according to a statement.
The district did not immediately respond to questions Thursday morning. The school board scheduled a 4 p.m. meeting Thursday to discuss Carvalho’s employment status.
“His innocence or guilt is yet to be seen. However, anyone facing an investigation and/or charges will not have the attention and focus needed to run a school district — especially the second-largest school district. And if it’s due to fraud, then that person should be put on some type of leave,” Avila added.
As of Thursday morning, the district had not made any public statements regarding Carvalho’s job status. He has remained publicly silent about the FBI investigation, which sources told EdSource and other news organizations involves the district’s relationship with a failed tech company contracted to develop a chatbot.
“We need to hold the Board accountable.
“Look. Do I believe that Carvalho is being targeted by the Trump administration in retaliation for his criticism of them? Absolutely. But the very things Carvalho is being targeted for are issues this very group has been concerned about throughout his entire tenure at LAUSD.
“Most of us had concerns about Carvalho and his outside contracting. Most of us had concerns about that AI program when it was announced. Most of us had concerns about his alleged unethical behavior as superintendent in Miami.
“None of this comes as a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention — except, apparently, the School Board.
“Beyond the alleged criminal activity he may be involved in, one of the biggest concerns has been his handling of natural disasters, which has endangered both students and staff. The fires last year and his gross mismanagement should have been enough, at the very least, for the Board not to renew his contract. But it seems the only thing the current Board cares about is data, at the expense of all other moral and ethical concerns this Superintendent brings to the table,” wrote another group participant.
