LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho resigns amid FBI investigation - CBS News

LAUSD staff said they had received a letter of resignation.

"The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership," the district said in a statement posted on its website. "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."

Carvalho released a statement through his attorney on Monday, highlighting the progress the district was able to make under his tenure.

"It has been a great honor to serve you," the statement said. "Over the past four years, together, we have made historic progress — gains that belong to our students, our educators, staff, and our communities."

The statement said that placing students first always guided his work and he believes the schools need to remain focused on the students and learning without distraction.

"I leave grateful — to our students and families, whose protection we prioritized, for trusting us, to our exceptional and hard-working teachers, leaders, and staff at every level for their tireless dedication, to our valued partners, and to the community for the privilege of serving," the statement said. "I will miss all of you and will continue to pray for the success, health, and wellbeing of every student and family in our District."

In February, the FBI served a series of search warrants at Carvalho's home and the Los Angeles Unified School District's headquarters. Sources told CBS News that the FBI also raided a Florida residence linked to Carvalho. The reason for the warrants is unknown after the FBI confirmed that the underlying affidavit remained under seal.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the investigations in both states are directly related to Carvalho. It's not clear what, if any, wrongdoing Carvalho is accused of. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office would not comment on the investigation in February, which is standard until potential charges are filed.

Prior to joining LAUSD in 2022, Carvalho served as superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter said the investigation predates the Trump administration and is a probe into allegations that Carvalho may have received kickbacks from a business while still superintendent of the Miami school district. The source added that the investigation is not directly tied to the LAUSD or Carvalho's work at the district, and that there is no known culpability or connection to LAUSD.

More than a week after the search warrants were executed, attorneys representing Carvalho issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and stating that the superintendent "has always acted in the best interests of students and within the bounds of the law."

"Mr. Carvalho remains confident that the evidence will ultimately demonstrate that he acted appropriately and in the best interests of students," the statement said. "We hope the School Board reinstates him promptly to his position as Superintendent."

Carvalho, who started a four-year, $1.7 million deal earlier this year, has been on paid administrative leave for the last four months.

On Monday, the union United Teachers Los Angeles shared a statement that said Carvalho's resignation "does not come as a surprise."

"As the Board considers the next chapter for LAUSD, we urge them to select a superintendent who is deeply committed to public education. Our students deserve a leader who listens to their needs and works in partnership with educators, educational staff, and families to strengthen the schools our communities rely on," the statement said. "Most importantly, the next superintendent must ensure that district resources are invested where they matter most: in our schools and classrooms, not in billions of dollars' worth of outside contracts. UTLA will continue to hold district leadership accountable to that commitment."

The LAUSD is the nation's second-largest public school district.

The district said Andrés Chait will remain acting superintendent until a permanent decision is made.