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Teacher's Neck Broken in Attack

Friday, February 23, 2007

GERMANTOWN - February 23, 2007 (WPVI) -- Two students accused of attacking a teacher in a hallway of Germantown High School on Friday morning are now behind bars.

The attack happened after 60-year-old Frank Burd confiscated an iPod from one of the students who was using it in class. The 14-year-old returned later with an 11th grader.

The teens allegedly pushed Burd, who struck his head on a locker. Schools CEO Paul Vallas said Burd broke his neck in two places. He was taken to Einstein Medical Center, but showed no sign of paralysis.

The confrontation was caught on videotape. School officials were able to use the tape to immediately identify the students.

17-year-old Donte Boykin was taken to Northwest Detectives in handcuffs on Friday evening, shortly after arresting the 14-year-old.

Both students have a checkered past. They were both previously expelled, but they were allowed to return to school after a year. School officials say the kids were in the process of being expelled again when they assaulted Burd.

They are behind bars in the process of being slapped with serious charges. They will be charged as adults.

Burd, a popular math and photography teacher, is recovering in intensive care at Einstein Medical Center. He remains in critical but stable condition. He is expected to have surgery on Monday.

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