Andres Chait has been appointed superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District just three days after Alberto Carvalho’s resignation, marking a swift transition that promotes a well-liked insider to lead the nation’s second-largest school district.
The Board of Education made its unanimous choice public on Wednesday, formalizing it during the board’s last meeting before August.
Chait had been acting superintendent since Feb. 27, two days following the FBI’s raid on the home and office of Carvalho. Law enforcement sources confirmed that the ongoing investigation is examining Carvalho’s involvement with a company contracted to develop an unsuccessful AI chatbot. Carvalho has not been charged and asserts his innocence.
Chait’s approach and background sharply contrast with those of Carvalho, who had 14 years of experience running one of the largest school systems in Miami.
Carvalho meticulously managed his public appearances; he gained a significant national profile as a prominent figure in education. In 2018, he accepted a position to lead the New York City school system but opted to remain in Miami. He was a well-known participant in national education forums and held his post in L.A. starting in February 2022.
Chait is a district parent who began his career as a kindergarten teacher at Queen Anne Place Elementary School and progressively advanced through various roles. He has exclusively worked within the L.A. Unified system, with positions that included elementary school principal and regional superintendent. Most recently, he held the position of director of operations, a nonacademic role overseeing the entire school system.
Unlike senior officials who typically sat directly behind the school board during meetings, Chait was often placed at the back near audiovisual equipment, allowing him to interact and joke with district staff and community members. He occasionally addressed community members or employees regarding personal issues raised during the public comment portion of board meetings.
Throughout the past two years, Chait has periodically presented at board meetings, discussing topics such as school safety.
Offering Chait the superintendent position was not entirely unexpected, as he had already taken on key responsibilities usually associated with a longstanding superintendent, including finalizing a four-year strategic plan and appointing administrators to fill critical senior roles.
The Board of Education approved a four-year strategic plan Tuesday, which outlines academic goals and measures for college, career, and social-emotional readiness.
Chait also earned praise from board members and union leaders during a challenging period involving a potential labor strike that threatened to disrupt the school system.
His involvement was crucial in reaching a resolution, which included collaboration with Mayor Karen Bass.
“The cooperation from the district leadership, the superintendent, and the school board made a significant impact,” Bass remarked in a City Hall press conference, referencing Chait after the extended negotiations.
Union leaders expressed their support for Chait at that time.
“Thank you, Supt. Chait, for demonstrating humanity. Humanity for recognizing us, the workers, and believing we could achieve a resolution,” said Cecily Myart-Cruz, the outgoing president of United Teachers Los Angeles.
Recently, Myart-Cruz noted in an interview that Carvalho should be succeeded and indicated that Chait possesses the necessary skills, though she suggested a formal selection process involving labor leaders and other stakeholders.
Max Arias, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 99, also commended Chait following the contract resolution.
“I want to express my gratitude … for stepping into a challenging situation and showing leadership,” Arias stated. “We are prepared, and our members are ready to foster a relationship or partnership.”
In a recent interview, Arias voiced his belief that Chait should be appointed to the position without an extensive search process.
Maria Nichols, president of Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents school principals and assistant principals, also acknowledged Chait at the April City Hall gathering.
“Thank you for being attentive,” Nichols remarked. “I appreciate the acting superintendent’s collaborative approach—he listens, takes action, is compassionate, and genuinely wants the best for our students, as he is a parent with children in LAUSD.”
However, some critics have challenged the deals negotiated by Chait, suggesting they may be financially burdensome for the district.
The $20.6-billion budget approved on Tuesday includes layoffs affecting hundreds of workers with due process rights and possibly another 1,000 without job protections. Over the next three years, officials anticipate further layoffs.
The spending plan for the 2026-27 school year stands nearly $2 billion higher than last year’s figure of $18.8 billion. The projected revenue for the district is $18.6 billion, although this amount may rise due to promising state tax revenues.
In the meantime, the district will offset the shortfall with reserves, which may be depleted over the next two to three years. The increased expenditures result largely from significant salary increases, maintaining health benefits amid rising costs, and expanding eligibility for benefits among part-time employees.
Additionally, the budget has been strained by the expiration of COVID-19 relief funds, inflation outpacing state funding increases, and continuously declining enrollment. L.A. Unified currently serves about 390,000 students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade, approximately half its enrollment from the early 2000s.
As acting superintendent, Chait’s salary was $395,867. He also received $250 monthly for expenses and access to a district car and driver for work-related duties. In his previous role as chief of school operations, a position he held for about 20 months, Chait earned $278,205.
Carvalho’s annual salary was $440,000, in addition to $50,000 contributed annually to a retirement annuity. District officials have not disclosed whether Carvalho received a severance package.
Carvalho’s predecessor, Austin Beutner, was compensated at $350,000 per year.
