The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has renewed Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s contract for another four years. This unanimous vote underscores the Board of Education’s support for his leadership at a time of significant financial strain and shifting enrollment.

Carvalho, who has served as superintendent since 2022, said he was humbled by the decision and eager to continue the work ahead. “I am deeply honored by the Board’s confidence and the opportunity to continue serving the students and families of Los Angeles Unified,” he said. “Enriched by the experiences and learnings from our workforce and community and labor partners, we have shown that when we put equity, innovation, and high expectations at the center of our work, our students achieve at historic levels. I look forward to building on this momentum and ensuring that every child in every neighborhood has access to the high-quality education they deserve.”

Board members praised Carvalho’s leadership, citing both his steady hand through challenges and his bold vision for the district’s future.

Board President Scott Schmerelson noted the superintendent’s ability to keep LAUSD on course during turbulent years. “Superintendent Carvalho has shown steady leadership during challenging times at Los Angeles Unified. As challenges continue, we believe that his tenure can continue an upward trend in student performance and appreciate his openness to new ideas with the board’s insight and direction. I look forward to working closely with Mr. Carvalho and am happy to move forward with his leadership for another four years.”

Board Vice President Dr. Rocio Rivas emphasized Carvalho’s focus on equity: “I share Superintendent Carvalho’s deep commitment to equity. From expanding access to advanced courses to closing persistent achievement gaps, he has placed our most vulnerable students at the heart of his agenda. This leadership reflects the values of our communities and is helping to move the District forward.”

Other members echoed those sentiments. “I am pleased to support the renewal of Superintendent Carvalho’s contract,” said Board Member Sherlett Handy Newbill. “He has been an experienced, effective and transformative leader who will continue to steward the District on a trajectory of sustained growth and academic success.”

Board Member Nick Melvoin praised Carvalho’s record of stability. “In a time of global uncertainty, we’re fortunate to have Superintendent Carvalho bringing steady and stable leadership as LA Unified moves from post-pandemic recovery to historic gains in student learning,” he said. “Already the longest-serving superintendent in the last two decades, he has demonstrated a deep and consistent commitment to equity and excellence, helping sharpen our focus through the District’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan and delivering meaningful progress in closing achievement gaps. I look forward to working with him to build on this strong foundation—drawing on lessons learned and critical input from the community—to craft and implement the next strategic plan that accelerates progress for students, families, and employees across Los Angeles.”

Board Member Karla Griego said Carvalho has led with “empathy, courage, and a relentless drive to expand opportunities for all students,” while Board Member Kelly Gonez praised his results during the district’s post-pandemic recovery. “Under his leadership, academic performance has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, voters successfully passed the largest bond in L.A. Unified history, and we’re responding to current federal threats by going above and beyond to protect our students and families,” Gonez said.

Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin added: “I am proud that our Board unanimously approved Superintendent Carvalho’s contract for an additional four years — to become the longest-serving Superintendent in recent history. Under his leadership, we have seen significant growth towards our strategic plan goals, including reducing persistent inequities in student outcomes. I am confident that with his continued focus on academics, social emotional wellness, and meaningful family engagement, we will continue our upward trajectory where every LA Unified student is ready for the college, career and life of their dreams.”

The board’s vote comes as LAUSD faces a projected $2.9 billion budget deficit for 2025-26, with $15.9 billion in expected revenue falling short of its $18.8 billion approved spending plan. Carvalho has defended the budget, highlighting nearly $60 million in new investments for the Black Student Achievement Plan, arts expansion, and support for LGBTQ+ students. “They are above all ethical and moral priorities that our school district should embrace,” he said earlier this summer. “Doing the right thing despite the opposition. We are on the right side of history as we make these budgetary investments.”

Despite the fiscal pressures and a steep decline in enrollment — from more than 747,000 students in 2003-04 to fewer than 390,000 today — Carvalho has pointed to record-breaking test results as proof that student learning is moving in the right direction. Spring Smarter Balanced Assessments showed that 46.5 percent of students met grade-level standards in English Language Arts and 36.7 percent in math. Though experts such as USC’s Morgan Polikoff caution that “two in three students are still not meeting grade-level standards,” the gains mark progress that district officials say they want to build on.

Carvalho himself has refused a pay raise as part of his contract renewal, keeping his annual salary at $440,000. Specific contract terms will be announced in October.

About Superintendent Alberto Carvalho

Alberto M. Carvalho has served as Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District since February 2022, following a unanimous vote of the Board of Education after a nationwide search and extensive community input. At LAUSD, he has overseen the implementation of the district’s Ready for the World Strategic Plan and spearheaded initiatives such as STEAM Lab Makerspaces, the Cultural Arts Passport, the Family Academy, and 12 new education compacts with local municipalities. He has also advanced sustainability through the “Green Schools for All” plan and helped secure upgraded credit ratings, saving millions for the district.

Before his role in Los Angeles, Carvalho spent 14 years as Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he earned national and international recognition, including being named the 2014 National Superintendent of the Year and the 2018 National Urban Superintendent of the Year. Under his leadership, Miami-Dade became one of the nation’s highest-performing urban school districts, winning the Broad Prize for Urban Education in 2012 and achieving systemwide accreditation.

Carvalho has served on the National Assessment Governing Board, advised the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, and currently contributes to Harvard’s Program on Education Policy and Governance. He has also been honored globally: awarded the Ordem de Mérito Civil by Portugal, the Ohtli Award by Mexico, and knighted with the Official Cross of the Orden de Isabel la Católica by Spain’s King Felipe VI.

Now entering his fourth year in Los Angeles, Carvalho says his mission is unchanged: to elevate LAUSD into the premier model of urban public education in America — and, as his renewed contract affirms, to do so with the full support of the Board of Education.

Carvalho’s personal journey mirrors the resilience of many LAUSD students. Raised in poverty in Portugal, he was the first in his family to graduate from high school before emigrating to the United States at the age of 17. Supporting himself as a day laborer and busboy, he pursued higher education, later beginning his career as a science teacher in Miami-Dade. He went on to serve as assistant principal,  chief communications officer, and associate superintendent before rising to the superintendency.

From an LAUSD press release and news reports.

An inspiring video of the board meeting and Superintendent Alberto Cavalho talking about his new contract and his commitment to LA.