The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation’s second largest, has resigned after months of being on paid administrative leave due to an ongoing federal investigation.
The investigation, which included a February raid of Alberto Carvalho’s home, involves, in part, a failed AI chatbot project that the district contracted, according to the Los Angeles Times. The case became a cautionary tale among critics of the push to get AI into schools.
The chatbot called “Ed” was supposed to be a support for students and parents, providing “the nudges, the reminders, the support, the incentive, and the rewards,” Mr. Carvalho said ahead of its launch. But just months later, the chatbot developer AllHere Education furloughed most of its employees. In late 2024, its founder was arrested on federal charges of defrauding investors.
Why We Wrote This
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho touted student progress, but came under investigation over artificial intelligence spending.
The district paid the technology company $3 million and was supposed to have signed a 5-year contract with it worth $6 million.
Mr. Carvalho has denied any wrongdoing.
“Over the past four years, together, we have made historic progress – gains that belong to our students, our educators, staff, and our communities,” Mr. Carvalho wrote in the letter Sunday released by the law firm representing him.
He touted achievements made, including raising academic performance, achieving the district’s highest graduation rate ever, reducing absenteeism, and negotiating workforce agreements.
The LAUSD Board of Education publicly acknowledged that they received Mr. Carvalho’s resignation letter.
“The Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring stability, continuity, and continued progress through strong leadership,” the governing body said in a statement on their website Monday. “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 rapid integration of artificial intelligence into various facets of daily life has become especially sensitive in schools, where many parents already express angst over the amount of screen time of even young students using tablets or laptops in the classroom.
Mr. Carvalho’s resignation comes four months after he was placed on paid leave. The LAUSD Board voted 7-0 two days after his home was raided to place him on leave. Two unions, United Teachers Los Angeles and Service Employees International Union Local 99, had called for Mr. Carvalho to resign weeks before he did.
“After months of uncertainty around district leadership, the news of Superintendent Carvalho’s resignation does not come as a surprise,” UTLA said in a statement Monday.
UTLA also urged the LAUSD to make sure that the next superintendent listens to community needs and works with students, families, and staff.
“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,” the union said.