Alleged student attack sends Barnum teacher to hospital

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at Barnum High School for assault Friday after he allegedly assaulted a teacher who had asked him to remove his headphones from his ears.

The teacher, Richard Bird, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital, where he was treated and released for injuries sustained in the assault. The student was arrested and transported to the Arrowhead Juvenile Center in Duluth.

Bird, an industrial tech teacher, has been with the district 18 years, Barnum Superintendent David Bottem said.

“He’s doing fine, he’s at home,” Bottem said. “I expect Mr. Bird to return to school, but when will be up to the doctors and his medical condition.”

Bottem declined to talk about Bird’s condition, the student involved or the assault itself, saying the district was working cooperatively with the county sheriff’s and attorney offices.

“We are hoping to put this behind us,” he said. “This is very rare for us or any school in the area.”

Carlton County Dispatch received a 911 call from the school about 8:45 a.m. reporting a student fight, resulting in a male injured and request for an ambulance. Carlton County sheriff’s deputies, Barnum Fire Department-First Responders, and Mercy Ambulance responded to the school.

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