Source: Fortune.com
Summary
The superintendent of Los Angeles public schools, Alberto Carvalho, has been put on paid leave after the FBI served search warrants at his home and the district’s headquarters. The investigation’s nature and details have not been disclosed, and Carvalho has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The district’s board of education unanimously voted to place Carvalho on leave, citing the need to minimize disruption to the district’s mission. Andres Chait, the chief of school operations, has been named acting superintendent.
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The numbers tell one story.
Carvalho’s paid leave follows the FBI’s search warrants, which may be related to the district’s dealings with AllHere, an education technology company that collapsed and had its leader indicted for fraud. Carvalho had heavily promoted the company’s AI chatbot, “Ed,” but the district dropped its contract after three months. The investigation may also involve Debra Kerr, a salesperson with ties to Carvalho and AllHere. Carvalho has denied personal involvement in the selection of AllHere, but his task force to examine the project has not made any public announcements. The district’s cooperation with the investigation and Carvalho’s silence on the matter have raised questions about the superintendent’s future.
The announcement sounds familiar.
Carvalho’s situation is reminiscent of other high-profile investigations involving education officials and private companies. The use of education technology and AI in schools has been a growing trend, but it also raises concerns about accountability and transparency. The FBI’s investigation may shed light on the district’s dealings with AllHere and the role of Carvalho and other officials in the decision-making process.
Author: Evan Null
