Los Angeles School Superintendent Placed on Paid Leave During Federal Investigation
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has been placed on paid administrative leave by the district's Board of Education, effective Friday, as he becomes part of an ongoing federal investigation. This decision follows FBI agents serving search warrants at Carvalho's residence and the LAUSD headquarters just two days prior, on Wednesday. Authorities have not disclosed specific details regarding the nature of the investigation, which involves the nation's second-largest school district, serving over 500,000 students across Los Angeles.
Background and Leadership Transition
Carvalho, who assumed the superintendent role in 2022 after leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida, has not publicly commented on the situation. In his absence, Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, will take over as interim leader, according to a district statement. The FBI also executed a search at a third location near Miami, which the Miami Herald reported belongs to Debra Kerr, a former associate of the education technology company AllHere. Kerr, who previously collaborated with Carvalho in Florida, could not be reached for comment.
Connection to AllHere and AI Chatbot Deal
The investigation appears to be linked to a controversial contract with AllHere, an ed-tech firm that collapsed into bankruptcy. In 2024, Carvalho heavily promoted a deal with AllHere for an AI chatbot named "Ed," designed to assist students, with the district paying $3 million for the technology. However, the partnership was terminated approximately three months after its launch. Subsequently, AllHere's founder, Joanna Smith-Griffin, was indicted on charges of securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft.
Carvalho has denied any personal involvement in selecting AllHere for the contract. Following Smith-Griffin's indictment, he pledged to establish a task force to review the failed project, but no updates have been publicly announced since. According to reports from The 74, a news organization covering AllHere's bankruptcy hearings, Kerr claimed she was never paid a $630,000 commission for her role in securing the deal with LAUSD. The 74 also noted that Kerr had longstanding ties to Carvalho from his tenure in Florida and that her son, who worked for AllHere, pitched the technology to LA school officials after Carvalho's appointment.
Carvalho's Career and Achievements
Over the past five years in Los Angeles, Carvalho has received acclaim for improving academic performance within the district. His leadership in Miami-Dade earned him similar praise, including being named Superintendent of the Year by the national superintendents association in 2014. Born in Portugal, he was knighted by Spain in 2021 for expanding Spanish-language programs in Miami-Dade schools.
Upon moving to California, Carvalho became a vocal critic of the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly following raids in Los Angeles. He arrived at a critical juncture for LAUSD, which faced challenges such as learning losses and declining enrollment despite an influx of COVID-19 relief funds. Previously, he clashed with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over pandemic-era mask mandates in schools.
Ongoing Developments and Statements
In a statement issued Wednesday, LAUSD confirmed it is cooperating with the federal investigation but provided no further details. The Miami-Dade school system acknowledged awareness of the probe involving Carvalho but declined to comment at this time. As the investigation unfolds, the district continues to operate under interim leadership, with the community awaiting more information on the allegations and their implications for educational governance in Los Angeles.
