News Summary
The Los Angeles Board of Education has unanimously voted to renew Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s four-year contract amid a significant budget deficit and declining student enrollment. Carvalho, who has been leading LAUSD since February 2022, will not accept a salary increase during this term. The district is facing a $2.9 billion budget deficit while also implementing new initiatives to support Black and LGBTQ+ students. The decision highlights the board’s confidence in Carvalho’s leadership despite various challenges, including managing finances and enrollment issues.
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Board of Education has made a significant decision by unanimously voting to renew Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s four-year contract, despite facing a substantial budget deficit and a decline in student enrollment. Carvalho has been serving as LAUSD Superintendent since February 2022 and is currently earning an annual salary of $440,000. Notably, he will not seek or accept a salary increase during the new contract term. Details concerning the specifics of Carvalho’s renewed contract are expected to be unveiled in October.
This contract renewal occurs against the backdrop of an alarming $2.9 billion budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. In recent budget discussions, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has approved an $18.8 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which includes substantial new investment initiatives. Among these initiatives are nearly $60 million allocated for the Black Student Achievement Plan and enhanced support for LGBTQ+ students.
Under Carvalho’s leadership, LAUSD has seen improvements in student performance, achieving the highest results on the Smarter Balanced Assessment since before the pandemic. Academic performance metrics indicate that 46.5% of students meet grade-level standards in English, while 36.7% do so in math. However, LAUSD has also been grappling with a decline in enrollment, which has plummeted from 747,009 students in the 2003-04 school year to 387,152 currently.
The Board of Education has acknowledged Carvalho’s steady leadership throughout various challenges that have confronted the district, including the COVID-19 pandemic and local crises like wildfires. He is regarded for his expertise in managing school finance, governance, and ensuring equity for all students within the district. Community reactions to the contract renewal have been mixed; some educators and civic organizations commend Carvalho’s leadership, while others have raised concerns regarding his effectiveness in budget management and support for immigrant families.
Board President Scott Schmerelson expressed his support for Carvalho, commending him for his unwavering leadership during difficult times. Schmerelson conveyed confidence in Carvalho’s ability to elevate student performance further. In a statement regarding his renewed contract, Carvalho underscored his commitment to the LAUSD community, emphasizing his intention to prioritize ethical and moral budget investments.
As part of an effort to improve academic achievement, LAUSD has initiated programs to increase Advanced Placement course participation and strengthen dual enrollment partnerships with local colleges and universities. Carvalho previously led the Miami-Dade County Public Schools before taking the helm at LAUSD and has continued to leverage his experience to navigate the complexities of the Los Angeles education landscape.
In conclusion, the unanimous decision to renew Alberto Carvalho’s contract signifies the Board’s faith in his leadership capabilities, especially in light of pressing challenges. As the district prepares for the future amid financial and enrollment hurdles, Carvalho’s leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of LAUSD.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times
- Wikipedia: Alberto Carvalho
- LAist
- Google Search: Alberto Carvalho LAUSD
- Daily News
- Google Scholar: Alberto Carvalho education
- ABC7
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Los Angeles Unified School District
- The Center Square
- Google News: Alberto Carvalho
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