D.C. and teachers union reach deal on how to reopen school buildings, capping months of contentious debate Perry Stein The District’s public school system and the Washington Teachers’ Union reached a deal late Thursday on how to reopen schools, capping months of contentious negotiations in a city that has so far been unable to bring teachers and students back together in classrooms. The deal settles a major dispute that has held up previous agreements: Teachers who do not have medical exemptions may be required to go back to classrooms, even if they do not want to. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee and Washington Teachers’ Union President Elizabeth Davis signed the agreement, according to announcements from the city and union.