LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Following a closed-session discussion, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education Wednesday appointed Andrés Chait as the new superintendent of the nation’s second-largest district.
Chait was serving as acting superintendent since Alberto Carvalho was placed on leave in February amid an FBI probe. Carvalho resigned on Sunday.
The LAUSD board voted unanimously in closed session to give Chait the full-time position.
“This board’s decision reflects the confidence in Mr. Chait’s leadership, his decades of service to Los Angeles Unified and his demonstrated ability to guide the district during this period of transition,” Board President Scott Schmerelson said after the board’s decision was announced. “Throughout his career, and most recently as acting superintendent, he has shown deep commitment to our students, families, employees and school communities.
“… The board looks forward to working together to build on the district’s progress and continue advancing student achievement and well- being,” he said.
Chait, who has been with the district for three decades, began his career with LAUSD as a kindergarten teacher, and went on to serve as an assistant principal, principal, Local District superintendent, chief of school operations and acting superintendent.
“I firmly believe in leading with gratitude and never taking the work and support of others for granted,” he said during the board’s meeting. “So I begin today in that spirit of gratitude. Thank you to the board for your faith in me and for this opportunity. In working with you over the past few years, but particularly in these last four months, I have seen first-hand the student-centered focus that guides your actions.
“Thank you to the district community for your support these past few months as we faced a number of challenges,” he said. I could genuinely feel that folks were rooting for our shared success, and that truly made a great difference in our outcomes.
“… Almost 30 years ago, I stepped into a kindergarten classroom at Queen Anne Elementary for the first time,” he said. “I was probably more nervous than the kids were, but I knew then that this was a place where I could make a positive difference in the lives of students and families. I have always known that there is no greater accelerator of change and opportunity than the schoolhouse, and that is still true today. Throughout my career in various roles, that has remained my focus — how I could be of service and support to our students and families in accessing these opportunities. Please know that commitment has not changed, and I look forward to the work ahead.”
Carvalho resigned as superintendent on Sunday, four months after federal agents raided his district office and his homes in San Pedro and Florida as part of an investigation into a failed AI chatbot venture between the district and a company known as AllHere, which has since folded.
“It has been a great honor to serve you,” Carvalho wrote in his resignation letter. “Over the past four years, together, we have made historic progress — gains that belong to our students, our educators, staff and our communities.”
Carvalho did not offer any insight into the reasons for his decision to resign.
“Placing students first has always guided my work. Because I believe our schools must remain focused on students and learning without distraction, I am resigning as Superintendent of LAUSD effective today, June 21, 2026.
“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 successes we have achieved belong to you. 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.
“To every student: work hard to realize your dreams and to live up to the promise of our nation. Never let anyone limit what you can accomplish.”
Carvalho was selected as superintendent of LAUSD in December 2021.
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