St. Paul Teacher to File Lawsuit Against School District After Attack

A teacher who was assaulted by a student at a St. Paul High School plans to file a lawsuit against the school district for failing to provide a safe workplace. 

John Ekblad, a Central High School teacher,  says he suffered a traumatic brain injury while trying to break up a fight on December 4. 

A 16-year-old male pleaded guilty Friday to felony assault charges for the attack.  The teen is accused of slamming Ekblad against a wall, choking him and then slamming him onto the floor. 

Ekblad still suffers from headaches and vision problems and has not returned to work.  He says he has had to return to the hospital numerous times following the attack. 

The spokesman for St. Paul Public Schools declined to comment.