Unfortunate Incident at Oklahoma School: Teacher Arrested for Alleged Intoxication on First Day of School
In a shocking turn of events, a third-grade teacher at Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School in Oklahoma was arrested on charges of public intoxication. The incident took place on Thursday, August 17, which also happened to be the first day of classes in the school district.
Concerns were initially raised by another teacher who noticed some erratic behavior from their colleague. The superintendent was informed and decided to confront the teacher, believing that she might be under the influence of alcohol. Sgt. Spencer Gedon, from the Perkins Police Department, stated in a news release that a portable breathalyzer test was conducted, revealing the teacher’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to be a staggering 0.24, three times the legal limit.
To add to the disturbing situation, a cup was discovered in the teacher’s classroom containing a red liquid. When questioned about it, the teacher initially referred to the liquid as her juice. However, as captured in body camera footage obtained by KFOR, it was revealed to be wine by a school resource officer. The footage also showed the teacher admitting to consuming “half a box of wine” until 3 a.m. the night before. She further confessed to drinking on her way to work, according to the body camera footage.
The teacher, identified as 53-year-old Kimberly Coates, claimed that she had consumed alcohol from the cup the previous day and not during class on the first day of school. Authorities took Coates into custody, and she now faces charges of public intoxication.
Law enforcement officials acknowledged the swift response from the school administration. Sgt. Gedon commended their prompt actions, stating, “As soon as there was a concern about that teacher, they went into action and did what they needed to do, and they were doing everything they could to make sure everyone was safe at the school.”
While the school declined to comment on the incident, referring to it as a “personnel issue,” parents and students in the community have expressed shock and concern. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and responsibility in educational environments.
Sadly, stories like these remind us of the vital role schools play in shaping the lives of young minds, and the need for utmost care when it comes to the well-being of students. Similar incidents have also been reported across the country, with teachers in New Jersey and California facing charges related to intoxication on school premises.
The Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School hopes to address this issue internally, ensuring that such incidents are prevented in the future. It is crucial for educators to uphold their responsibility as role models for students, providing a safe and conducive learning environment at all times.
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