Vallas disagreed.

"If I blamed the principals, I would have removed more than one principal," he said. Teachers, principals, and central office staff have to stop blaming one another, he said.

"I want to blame parents for not taking responsibility for their kids. There needs to be some parental accountability," Vallas said.

Mantell said Vallas should reduce class sizes and increase the number of school monitors.

Ed Klein, the teacher whose jaw was broken in November, agreed.

"I was knocked out in 'broad daylight' in between classes at West Philadelphia High," Klein said. "A hotline, suspension, expulsion or arrest will not prevent this activity. There is a clear lack of personnel. "

Shelly Yanoff, executive director of Philadelphia Citizens for Children and Youth, called for more counselors, psychologists and personnel. Her plea comes as the district, which operates on a $2.04 billion budget, faces a $37 million deficit this year and much larger shortfalls in subsequent years unless cuts are made or revenue increases.

"You can't police your way out of this. The kids are coming into the schools with issues and problems, and you need enough people there to deal with these problems," she said.

As Burd recovers, he said he had been moved by the many other students reaching out to him.

In the last two weeks, as many as 50 students have visited him, and others scattered around the country have called.

"I didn't know so many people remembered me. "

Contact staff writer Susan Snyder at 215-854-4693 or ssnyder@phillynews.com.

Reporter Kristen A. Graham contributed to this article.

Highlights of the Plan to Combat Violence

A teacher safety hotline - 215-400-STOP (7867)- for teachers and other staff to report complaints directly to the office of the state's safe-schools advocate. Complaints will be dealt with the day they come in before 5 p.m.

An immediate 10-day suspension and move to expel any student who assaults or threatens to assault a staff member.

Proposals to change regulations to allow for students to be expelled permanently from the district to disciplinary schools. Now they can return after 180 days.

A review of the records of 150 students who recently returned to regular schools from disciplinary schools to make sure they are following rules. They could again be sent to a disciplinary school if problems are found.

A call for more funding for alternative and disciplinary schools and community policing.