It has been reported today that third grade teacher Kimberly Coates, 53, was arrested for being “drunk on the job” after staff removed her from her classroom at Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School in Oklahoma and requested an explanation for the presence of a cup apparently filled with wine.
Despite repeatedly denying she had been drinking and agreeing to a breathalyzer test, Coates eventually admitted to having had half a box of wine earlier that morning on the first day of school. Her results from the test showed that she had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.24 – three times the legal driving limit of 0.08.
Bodycam footage of the incident reveals Coates trying to explain away her unusual behavior by claiming she had taken anxiety medication. After being asked to take a breathalyzer, which she did, the school superintendent Doug Ogle said to her, “You seem like you’re not the same person I talked to this morning.”
At the same time, the arresting officer expressed his opinion that Coates could possibly be a “functioning alcoholic.” He went on to ask if she had left the school premises that day, followed by the ominous question of whether there were any traces of consumed alcohol in her classroom. Unsurprisingly, Coates refused to answer this inquiry.
Under Ogle’s supervision, the officer persuaded Coates to succumb to her arrest without further incident. When asked what would become of her, the school superintendent was brutally honest and said she would get fired.
The events surrounding Coates’ arrest have come as a shock to school students, staff, and parents, especially given this was her first day of term. It has also been reported that she has been teaching at the school for over 20 years and had received glowing feedback from the community.
The Payne County Jail confirmed to media that Coaces was being held on the anticipated District Court charge of public intoxication. Although investigations are still ongoing, it now seems as though the beloved teacher’s career is over.
It goes without saying that this incident serves as an upsetting reminder of the dangers of alcohol abuse. Not only do school teachers have an important role to play in society but they must also be held accountable to the laws and regulations that govern them.
It’s clear that Kimberly Coates made a huge mistake and it is one that it is difficult for anyone to come back from. We hope that she can find the help she needs in the wake of this unfortunate incident and learn from the mistakes she made.
