A change by D.C. Health earlier this week gave D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee authority to lift the requirement.

Several councilmembers said they wanted to extend online instruction to even more schoolchildren but were constrained by a rule that prohibits emergency legislation from costing the city extra money.

The policy is meant to comply with a 2004 law that mandates drug and alcohol testing for many District employees. 

Bowser said last week she will spend an additional $14 million on the school system for the 2021-2022 academic year,

Emails and calls will go out to parents Friday about if their students are eligible for in-person learning.

Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee says the school system will provide two options for in-person learning for students in preschool through fifth grade when the second grading quarter starts Nov. 9.

While some students will be returning to schools for limited in-person instruction, any broader move to bring more DCPS students back isn’t expected until at least early November.

The internal review followed an incident in mid-May at Capitol Hill Montessori, where an employee of a provider of after-school programming was arrested and charged for allegedly engaging in improper sexual contact with a 13-year-old student.

Lewis Ferebee, who has been the acting chancellor since December, will take on the role permanently.

It’s been a tumultuous few years for public education in the District. Ferebee says he wants to bring stability and transparency.