LAUSD appoints longtime administrator Andres Chait as next superintendent

The Los Angeles Unified Board voted unanimously to appoint Andres Chait, a longtime district administrator, as superintendent days after his predecessor resigned.

 “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,” said board President Scott Schmerelson following the announcement Wednesday.

The board met privately to discuss the district’s top job three days after Alberto Carvalho resigned. Carvalho wrote in a letter that he was leaving “because I believe our schools must remain focused on students and learning without distraction.”

The board placed Carvalho on paid administrative leave following FBI searches of his home and district office in February and appointed Chait acting superintendent. Carvalho has not been charged with a crime and has maintained his innocence.

Who is Andres Chait?

Chait rose through the ranks from teacher to administrator at LAUSD over nearly three decades. The responsibilities of his most recent role, chief of school operations, included overseeing school safety, athletics and the district’s office of emergency management.

Chait thanked the board, the community and his family after the announcement Wednesday and reflected on his first day as a kindergarten teacher 30 years ago. “ 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,” Chait said. “I've always known that there is no greater accelerator of change and opportunity than the schoolhouse, and that is still true today.”

Under Chait's interim leadership, the district successfully negotiated new contracts with its largest labor unions — avoiding a massive strike by teachers, principals and staff — and passed a significant reduction-in-force plan and fiscal stabilization plan.

Chait is the first district staff member to be selected as full-time superintendent since Michelle King in 2016.

What is the superintendent responsible for?

LAUSD is the country’s second-largest school district, employs 83,000 people and enrolls more than 400,000 students across more than 1,000 schools. Despite recent gains in student test scores, the majority of students are not proficient in reading and math skills for their grade level. The district also faces looming financial challenges from declining enrollment — which is tied to state funding — and federal investigations into programs designed to help underserved students succeed.

The district has not finalized Chait’s new contract so the length of his employment and salary are not yet known. Carvalho’s contracts were for four-year terms and he earned $440,000 a year and other benefits, including a $50,000 retirement contribution.

How has the community reacted?

Members of the LAUSD board and senior district staff gave Chait a standing ovation after his appointment was announced.

Several of the district’s employee unions expressed cautious optimism that Chait would be a collaborative leader.

Maria Nichols, who leads the union that represents 3,000 principals and other administrators, said she worked with Chait for about a decade in Region North overseeing schools in the San Fernando Valley.

“ He's very collaborative. He listens. He's a problem solver,” Nichols said. For example, she said Chait held regular town hall meetings during the pandemic and ensured that masks, air filters and tests were distributed to schools during reopening.

Max Arias is the executive director of SEIU Local 99, which includes 30,000 classroom aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and other school support staff.

The union has secured double-digit wage increases in its last two contracts.

“ We're hopeful that he will work with the district in implementing the agreements we reached, which we think are essential to continuing to improve the conditions of the schools and the conditions of the workers as well,” Arias said.

The union that represents 35,000 teachers, counselors and other educators, United Teachers Los Angeles, issued a measured statement Wednesday evening.

“We are hopeful that with Superintendent Chait's experience, he will prioritize the needs of students and work collaboratively with educators, school staff, families, and our communities to strengthen our public schools,” the statement read. “Regardless of who is in office, we will continue to advocate for the investments, transparency, and accountability necessary to ensure every student in Los Angeles has the opportunity to thrive.”