Los Angeles school Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is on indefinite leave after the FBI searched his home and office as part of a criminal investigation. The board president, Scott Schmerelson, named Andres Chait as the acting superintendent. He assured the district staff of their support during this tough time, though it wasn’t clear if he meant Carvalho or the entire LAUSD community.
The FBI hasn’t accused Carvalho of any crime. However, sources suggest he’s part of an investigation into AllHere, a now-defunct company that created a chatbot for LAUSD. This chatbot launched in March 2024 but was pulled after just three months, coinciding with AllHere’s financial troubles. The CEO of AllHere, Joanna Smith-Griffin, has been charged with fraud, but she maintains her innocence.
Veteran education attorney Virgil Roberts has questioned the school board’s move to place Carvalho on leave. He suggested the board should take their time, as details of the investigation remain murky. “The presumption of innocence is real,” he noted, especially given Carvalho’s history as a vocal critic of the Trump administration.
Chait, who has worked in various capacities within LAUSD for 20 years, is seen as a reliable choice for acting superintendent. He is not closely tied to Carvalho and has the experience needed to manage operations effectively.
The board’s decision came quickly, likely due to the urgency of the federal investigation. They held a meeting shortly after the FBI raids, though the community felt stunned and confused. Public reactions were minimal, with several parents expressing concerns but few offering solutions.
In addition to the searches in Los Angeles, the FBI also searched a property in Florida linked to Debra Kerr, a former associate of Carvalho. She has alleged that AllHere owes her a significant amount of money, although she hasn’t been charged with anything.
Carvalho’s situation comes just months after the board voted to extend his contract for another four years. His leadership has been marked by challenges, including responding to disruptions from the pandemic and addressing issues affecting immigrant families. Despite these hurdles, Carvalho touted improvements in student attendance and academic performance in recent months.
Interestingly, Carvalho’s push for technology in education backfired with the launch of the chatbot, which was intended to assist students and families but failed to deliver on its promises. This incident adds another layer to the scrutiny facing Carvalho and LAUSD.
Overall, the future remains uncertain, both for Carvalho and the LAUSD. As the investigation unfolds, the board faces significant questions about governance and leadership in one of the nation’s largest school districts.
For more information on the context of this investigation, visit The74Million.
