By Lee Hubbard

Anthony Peebles, the Thurgood Marshall Academic High School teacher arrested after an October student riot, has been allowed to return to work.

Peebles was placed on administrative leave after he was arrested while videotaping a conflict between student and police at Thurgood Marshall. More than 60 officers responded to the melee at the Bayview District school, which involved both African American and Asian students.

Peebles was charged with battery on an officer, interfering with an arrest, and suspicion of inciting a riot. His video recorder was confiscated by the police. Last week the San Francisco District Attorney's Office dropped charges against the 29-year-old literature teacher. Four days later San Francisco Unified School District Superintendent Arlene Ackerman reinstated Peebles.

"I want to move forward for the sake of the students and the entire Thurgood Marshall community," Ackerman said. "Now that the criminal investigation is completed, and even though the internal personnel investigation is continuing, principal Frank Tom and I decided it would be best for Mr. Peebles to return to the classroom and that the critical business of teaching move forward."

Jeff Adachi, the public defender-elect and the attorney representing Peebles, said the superintendent's news is good, but he wished it could have happened sooner.

"We are pleased, but I want to stress that the school investigation is still pending," Adachi said. "Anthony can still be taken out of school and terminated from his employment."

While there is no timetable for when the school district's investigation will be complete, Adachi said he believes it could take up to four weeks.