A South Florida teacher retired after he was accused of making a death threat and promising physical harm in April, according to Palm Beach County School District documents.
Raymond Berger, 56, a physical education teacher at Eagles Landing Middle School in suburban Boca Raton, submitted his resignation Tuesday, WPTV reported. The resignation came a day before the Palm Beach County School Board was to consider his termination, the television station reported.
Records from the school district showed Berger submitted his resignation Tuesday.
According to the school board documents, Berger made the alleged comments April 23, WPTV reported. The comments, including a statement that he would "rip out" someone's eyes, were made in front of students, WPEC reported.
An investigation that began May 29 by the school board concluded Berger engaged in “unprofessional conduct, ethical misconduct and insubordination,” according to the school board’s Dec. 11 agenda posted on its website.
According to a notice of recommendation for termination, another teacher claimed Berger “made inappropriate comments to him and in the presence of students.”
According to an investigative report, Berger allegedly said, “I’m going to (expletive) kill someone right now,” in addition to, “I would rip out (someone’s) eyes.”
Superintendent Donald Fennoy wrote a letter to Berger on Nov. 19, and said there was "just cause' to warrant termination, WPTV reported.
It is not clear through the report what prompted the alleged outburst.
Berger, who has been employed by the school district for 20 years, has declined comment.
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