Andres Chait pledges continuity as he takes LAUSD helm after FBI raids - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Richard Winton, Howard Blume

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has appointed Andrés Chait as acting superintendent following the FBI raids on Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s home and office. Chait, a senior administrator, emphasized continuity and stability for students and staff during his remarks to the school board, while the board left the door open for Carvalho’s potential return by referring to Chait as “acting” rather than “interim.” The raids were linked to an ongoing federal investigation involving AllHere, a tech company that collapsed after allegations of securities fraud and wire fraud. Founder Joanna Smith-Griffin has been charged with these crimes, including using investor funds for personal expenses like a luxury wedding. The investigation stems from a referral by New York prosecutors over $10 million obtained through fraudulent means by AllHere, which had a contract with LAUSD to develop an AI chatbot called “Ed.” This tool was touted by Carvalho as revolutionary but was never fully deployed. Federal authorities have not accused Carvalho of wrongdoing but have subpoenaed records from his previous role in Miami-Dade schools, where he served as superintendent before joining LAUSD in 2022. These subpoenas seek documents related to a $1.57 million donation to the Miami-Dade Schools Foundation, which was overseen by Carvalho and deemed by the district’s inspector general to create an appearance of impropriety. The board has held three closed-door meetings since the raids, voting unanimously to place Carvalho on indefinite leave. Chait’s appointment is seen as a move to maintain stability in LAUSD during this uncertain period, with labor negotiations and fallout from the FBI raid being addressed behind closed doors. The situation highlights the challenges of leadership in large school districts and underscores the importance of ethical decision-making in public education. This development matters to readers interested in education leadership, fraud cases involving public officials, and the impact on schools and students when high

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 3/3/2026