On the first day of school, parents are typically filled with anticipation and excitement as they send their children off for another year. However, last Thursday in Perkins-Tryon, Oklahoma was anything but typical when a drunk teacher was arrested at an elementary school.
😐 Police video shows 3rd grade teacher being arrested after allegedly being drunk on first day of school https://t.co/1DVBSgBzYU
— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) August 24, 2023
Kimberly Coates, 53, had been teaching third grade at the school until she was confronted by the superintendent and a school resource officer due to her odd behavior. Upon further inspection, authorities found that she blew a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .24 – three times the legal limit.
Bodycam footage from the Perkins Police Department showed Coates interacting with local law enforcement and Superintendent Doug Ogle. Ogle told her that something “seemed off” and that she didn’t appear the same as earlier in the morning. Despite denying any intoxication at first, Coates eventually admitted to drinking late into the evening prior to coming into work and while en route that morning.
An Oklahoma teacher was arrested on the first day of elementary school last week after allegedly being drunk while teaching children, authorities said. #FOX13 https://t.co/fm0ETSn2aG
— FOX 13 Seattle (@fox13seattle) August 24, 2023
The officers also discovered an empty blue plastic cup in her classroom which smelled of alcohol according to Sgt Spencer Gedon who said: “That’s not just one drink and you’re there…that’s several drinks.”
When Coates refused to call someone to pick her up from the school, law enforcement placed her under arrest and escorted her away from campus. She was then taken to Payne County Jail where it is expected she will be charged with public intoxication once formal charges are filed.
The district released a statement following this incident stating that it is considered “a personnel issue” so they cannot provide any additional information at this time other than what has already been released publicly. Parents can rest assured knowing that despite this unfortunate incident their children were not put in any harm’s way as it did not occur during instructional hours nor did it involve any students directly or indirectly within its scope.
An Oklahoma teacher was arrested on the first day of elementary school last week after allegedly being drunk while teaching children, authorities said. https://t.co/VmhzU4elf7
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) August 23, 2023
This situation serves as an important reminder for all adults alike about being responsible when consuming alcohol no matter what age you may be or profession you hold; especially if your actions have potential consequences involving young lives like those seen here on Thursday afternoon when Kimberly Coates made poor decisions leading up to her arrest in Perkins-Tryon Elementary School on opening day of classes for 2020-2021 academic year
