DC Mayor Expects Schools to Fully Reopen in Fall 2021

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she expects D.C. Public Schools to fully reopen in fall 2021. 

The mayor’s office announced on Thursday a proposed 3.6% boost to per-student funding for the upcoming school year, and said Bowser is planning for students and educators to be in classrooms for “in-person learning, five days a week.” 

“We have stuck together through this pandemic – now, we need a strong citywide commitment to reopening this fall so that we can meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of all our students,” Bowser said in a statement. 

DC @MayorBowser expects @dcpublicschools to fully reopen Fall 2021. “Mayor shared that in the fall of 2021, she expects all public schools in Washington, DC to fully open for in-person learning, five days a week, with all educators back in the classroom.”@nbcwashington

— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) April 8, 2021

The mayor said in an update Monday that she expects some families to need all-virtual learning. She said the school district would provide “a virtual option in limited instances.”

DC @MayorBowser says there will still be some “limited option” for virtual learning next @dcpublicschools year 21/22 @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/SNKPT2T7LD

— Mark Segraves (@SegravesNBC4) April 12, 2021

The mayor’s budget proposal will include increased funding for schools, “with a focus on enhancing equity and supporting our most vulnerable students.” 

D.C. officials will work with schools to “ensure they have staff, space, and other resources they need to safely accommodate all students. Schools will share robust plans with the city and their communities and have strong health protocols in place,” the mayor’s office said.

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.