New LAUSD Supt. Alberto Carvalho: ‘We have to emerge from this crisis stronger’

Alberto Carvalho, the new Los Angeles schools superintendent, promised on Tuesday to bring energy, passion and compassion to his new role as head of the nation’s second-largest school system, shortly after the school board Tuesday approved his four-year contract with an annual $440,000 salary. Carvalho said he envisions “the nation’s largest Parent Academy,” funded with philanthropic and business support “at no cost to the taxpayer.” The goal would be to help parents learn how to “navigate the system on behalf of their children” and to enhance their civic knowledge and workforce skills. Last week, Miami-Dade school board member Lucia Baez-Geller praised Carvalho as data-driven, skilled at integrating technology and someone “willing to take steps that might not be popular but are necessary.” On Florida’s accountability system, the Miami-Dade district’s rating has risen to an A, although some schools continue to struggle with persistent low achievement. “I’m mindful of policies adopted by this board,” said Carvalho, who taught math and science for four years before moving to the administrative track.