Los Angeles School Superintendent Placed on Paid Leave During Federal Probe

Alberto Carvalho under investigation as FBI serves search warrants at his home and district headquarters

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Alberto Carvalho, the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, has been placed on paid leave by the school board as federal authorities investigate the district. The FBI executed search warrants at Carvalho's home and the district's headquarters, but officials have not disclosed details about the nature of the investigation or accused Carvalho of any wrongdoing.

Why it matters

Carvalho is a high-profile superintendent who has led major improvements in the nation's second-largest school district. The federal probe raises questions about the district's operations and leadership during a critical time as it recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.

The details

The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education unanimously voted to place Carvalho on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, will take over as acting superintendent. The FBI also searched a property near Miami that belonged to Debra Kerr, who previously worked with an education technology company that had a contract with the LA district before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud.

  • On February 24, 2026, the FBI served search warrants at Carvalho's home and the district headquarters.
  • On February 27, 2026, the school board voted to place Carvalho on paid leave.

The players

Alberto Carvalho

The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest school district. Carvalho previously led the Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida and has been praised for academic improvements in both districts.

Andres Chait

The chief of school operations for the Los Angeles Unified School District, who will take over as acting superintendent while Carvalho is on leave.

Debra Kerr

An education technology salesperson who previously worked with AllHere, a company that had a contract with the LA school district before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud.

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What they’re saying

“Our focus remains clear: to ensure stability, continuity, and strong leadership for our students, families, and employees.”

— Andres Chait, Chief of School Operations (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the federal investigation will determine whether Carvalho will be allowed to return to his position or if the probe will lead to further action.

The takeaway

This high-profile investigation of the Los Angeles school superintendent raises concerns about potential mismanagement or corruption in the nation's second-largest school district, which is still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic and must maintain stability and strong leadership for its students and families.