DCPS interim chancellor appointed as Lewis Ferebee steps down

The District of Columbia Public Schools announced a new DCPS interim chancellor will step in to guide local classrooms through this transition. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that Dr. Kim Jackson will assume the temporary leadership post at the school district's headquarters. The appointment follows the scheduled departure of outgoing Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, who will step down from his post later this week.

Dr. Ferebee's exit marks the conclusion of a significant chapter for Washington's public education system. His administration navigated the unprecedented disruption of the pandemic, coordinating hybrid learning schedules and early recovery strategies across the city. The transition occurs as the District works to finalize its upcoming capital budget priorities and address student enrollment shifts.

Dr. Jackson brings over a decade of direct institutional experience within the municipal school system to the interim role. Her career with the agency began in 2012, serving in both campus-level leadership and executive administrative capacities. This extensive background inside the central office is expected to offer operational continuity during a crucial school term.

Establishing Local Roots in DC Classrooms

Before elevating to system-wide administration, Jackson served as the principal of Seaton Elementary School in the Shaw neighborhood. Located on 10th Street NW, the school serves a highly diverse student population with specialized language and academic needs. Her leadership on the ground earned her the distinction of District of Columbia Principal of the Year in 2015.

Following her successful tenure at Seaton, Jackson transitioned to the central administration building as the Chief of Elementary Schools. In this executive capacity, she managed early childhood programs and curriculum standards for young learners across all eight wards. This role placed her at the forefront of the city's strategic planning for early childhood development.

Executive officials in the John A. Wilson Building have emphasized Jackson's deep connections to the local educator workforce. Mayor Bowser released a statement highlighting Jackson's track record in implementing programming that accelerated student learning. The administration expects her previous experience to foster trust and communication with parent-teacher associations citywide.

Navigating Academic Recovery and Policy Challenges

The leadership change arrives as Washington public schools celebrate recent gains in post-pandemic academic recovery metrics. Even with these positive trends, local education non-profits caution that achievement gaps persist between different wards. The interim chancellor will need to balance celebrating district-wide progress with the urgent work of supporting struggling schools.

Members of the D.C. Council's Committee of the Whole are expected to monitor the transition phase closely. Councilmembers have historically used administrative handoffs to reassess school security plans, mental health funding, and facility modernizations. Advocacy groups are already urging the Council to schedule public roundtables regarding the upcoming search.

The executive branch has not yet announced a formalized timeline or search firm for selecting a permanent chancellor. For the immediate future, Jackson's primary mandate will be managing daily district operations and addressing classroom staffing needs. Community pathfinders and ward-level education councils are expected to seek early meetings with the new interim leader next month.