Wave Staff and Wire Reports
LOS ANGELES — Following a closed-session discussion, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education has appointed Andrés Chait as the new superintendent of the nation’s second-largest district.
Chait has served as acting superintendent since Alberto Carvalho was placed on leave in February amid an FBI probe. Carvalho resigned June 21.
The LAUSD board voted unanimously in closed session June 24 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 added. “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 continued. “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,” Chait concluded.
“At this moment, our students, families, employees, and communities deserve stability, focus, and confidence in the future of Los Angeles Unified,” said school board President Scott Schmerelson. “After careful consideration, the board determined that Andrés Chait is uniquely qualified to lead this district.
“He knows our schools, understands our challenges, has earned the trust of employees and school communities, and has already demonstrated his ability to lead with integrity, transparency, and a relentless focus on students.”
“Andrés Chait has dedicated his career to serving the students of Los Angeles Unified and has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to families and school communities,” school board member Sherlett Hendy Newbill said. “I am confident he will continue the work of ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to achieve their dreams.
“Our students deserve leaders who understand their experiences, believe in their potential, and are committed to creating opportunities for every child to succeed.”
Carvalho resigned as superintendent 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.
Carvalho was selected as superintendent of LAUSD in December 2021 after serving for 14 years as superintendent of the Miami Dade County Public Schools.
