Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned, district officials confirmed on Wednesday. His departure comes nearly four months after FBI agents searched his home and district offices as part of a probe into contracts and a defunct artificial intelligence chatbot initiative.
Carvalho, who led the nation's second-largest school system, submitted his resignation to the Board of Education. In a letter obtained by the Los Angeles Times, he wrote, "It has been a great honor to serve you," adding that he stepped down to allow schools to focus on students and learning "without distraction."
The district placed Carvalho on paid administrative leave shortly after the February 25 raids. Federal authorities have not filed charges, but the investigation centers on his dealings with contractors tied to AllHere, a company that developed an AI-powered chatbot named "Ed" for LAUSD. The project, promoted as a tool to help families navigate educational services, was scrapped after AllHere collapsed.
Carvalho has consistently denied any misconduct. His resignation follows a tenure marked by both achievements and turmoil. He arrived in Los Angeles in 2022 after 14 years leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he earned praise for boosting test scores and graduation rates post-pandemic. Under his watch, LAUSD also weathered a major cyberattack, labor disputes, declining enrollment, and scrutiny over spending on the chatbot project.
The Times reported that Carvalho's contract was renewed last year. It remains unclear whether his resignation includes a financial settlement; his employment agreement provided for a minimum 12-month payout if he were terminated without cause. KTLA has reached out to LAUSD for comment.
The FBI probe adds to a backdrop of political tension in California, where special elections in the 14th District and other races have drawn attention. Meanwhile, the broader debate over AI in education continues, with federal agencies exploring new tech frontiers. Carvalho's departure leaves LAUSD searching for stability amid an ongoing federal investigation.
