Los Angeles Schools Chief Placed on Paid Leave Amid FBI Probe

Superintendent Alberto Carvalho under investigation as FBI searches his home and office

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has been placed on paid leave after the FBI executed search warrants at his home and the district's headquarters. Authorities have not provided details on the nature of the federal investigation involving the nation's second-largest school district, which serves over 500,000 students.

Why it matters

Carvalho's sudden leave raises concerns about potential misconduct or mismanagement within the LA school system, which has seen academic improvements under his leadership. The investigation could have significant implications for the district's operations and public trust.

The details

The FBI searches occurred two days before the school board placed Carvalho on leave. Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, will take over as acting superintendent during the investigation. 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 LA schools before it collapsed amid fraud allegations.

  • On February 27, 2026, the FBI executed search warrants at Carvalho's home and the LA Unified School District headquarters.
  • On February 28, 2026, the LA Unified School District Board of Education placed Carvalho on paid leave.

The players

Alberto Carvalho

The superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nation's second-largest school system. 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

A former employee of the education technology company AllHere, which had a contract with the LA school district before it collapsed and its leader was indicted for fraud.

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What’s next

The judge overseeing the federal investigation will determine whether Carvalho is allowed to return to his position or if he will remain on leave pending the outcome of the probe.

The takeaway

This investigation raises serious questions about potential misconduct or mismanagement within the Los Angeles Unified School District, which serves a large and diverse student population. The outcome could have significant implications for the district's leadership and public trust in the school system.