Los Angeles School Board Postpones Superintendent Decision Following FBI Searches
LAUSD Board Holds Closed-Door Meeting Amid FBI Investigation of Superintendent Carvalho
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board convened for nearly four hours in a closed session Thursday to discuss the future of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. This meeting followed an FBI investigation that included searches of Carvalho’s home and office the previous day.
After the lengthy deliberation, the board did not announce any decisions regarding Carvalho’s employment. In a statement, they reassured the public that “the district continues normal operations across all schools and offices,” expressing gratitude to employees, families, and students for their commitment to the school community.
FBI officials confirmed that the searches were conducted under court authorization, but declined to elaborate on the investigation. The affidavit supporting the searches remains sealed. A spokesperson from the FBI in Miami indicated that the Los Angeles searches are part of a broader investigation tied to a property in South Florida associated with a company that had worked with LAUSD on a short-lived artificial intelligence chatbot program known as "Ed."
The district has stated it is cooperating with the investigation but has not provided further details or made representatives available for interviews.
Context and Concerns
The investigation has sparked concern among parents, with some voicing that it distracts from the district’s operations. Parent Vicky Martinez reflected on the unsettling nature of the situation, stating, "It’s really unfortunate, embarrassing, and sad that they didn’t see this."
Timeline of Events
On Wednesday, FBI agents conducted searches at Carvalho’s home and office, while a related search took place in South Florida. The following day, the LAUSD Board heard public comments before entering their closed session. The board is scheduled to reconvene Friday afternoon.
Background on Superintendent Carvalho
Alberto Carvalho has led LAUSD since 2022, with his contract unanimously renewed by the school board in 2025. Previously, he spent decades in the Miami-Dade County school district, including extensive experience as a teacher and administrator. Despite improvements in student test scores during his tenure, LAUSD is currently navigating a challenging financial landscape, having cut hundreds of jobs and facing pressures from labor unions regarding new contracts.
As this investigation unfolds, the LAUSD community remains alert to its implications for leadership and district stability.
