Mariana Dale has been reporting on changes in LAUSD’s leadership since the FBI searched the superintendent’s home in February.

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has resigned as leader of the Los Angeles Unified School District, four months after the FBI searched his home and office.

"Placing students first has always guided my work," Carvalho wrote in his resignation letter, provided to LAist by his attorney. "Because I believe our schools must remain focused on students and learning without distraction, I am resigning as Superintendent of LAUSD effective today."

A district spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter Sunday night. The reason for the timing wasn’t immediately clear.

"The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership," the district said in an overnight statement. "Our focus remains unchanged: providing every student with a high-quality education, supporting our dedicated workforce, and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve."

The backstory

FBI agents searched Carvalho’s home and office on Feb. 25. A U.S. Department of Justice spokesperson said the agency had a court-authorized warrant, but declined to provide additional details.

Within days of the search, LAUSD’s board voted unanimously to place Carvalho on paid administrative leave “pending investigation” and appoint longtime district administrator Andres Chait as acting superintendent.

The district did not respond to LAist’s questions about whether the “investigation” referenced is federal or internal. The L.A. searches are linked to a search of a Florida home associated with the company LAUSD contracted with to create a short-lived AI tool. Carvalho declared his innocence in a March statement and expressed a desire to return to his job.

What's next?

Carvalho has been superintendent of LAUSD since 2022, and the board renewed his contract in 2025. His tenure at LAUSD has included a number of achievements for the district: gains in test scores, increased participation in AP classes, a $9 billion facilities bond and progress on the rate of student attendance.

"Our District’s executive leadership team valued achievement and equity and placed our most vulnerable students at the heart of our agenda," Carvalho wrote in his resignation. "During challenging times, we did so in a protective manner that benefited and honored all students."

LAUSD’s superintendent is responsible for crafting a strategy for the education of nearly 400,000 students. The country’s second-largest school district is confronting declining enrollment, the likelihood of further job cuts and fewer resources for high-needs schools.

Chait remains acting superintendent, but the board may take up discussion of the district’s leadership at a meeting this Wednesday. The status of the federal investigation into Carvalho is unclear.

In Carvalho's absence, Chait has been responsible for negotiations with the district's labor unions — ultimately avoiding a massive strike by teachers, principals and staff — as well as a significant reduction-in-force plan. Still, in the past several decades, LAUSD has not chosen an interim superintendent to keep the role permanently.

Senior editor Ross Brenneman contributed to this story.

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