A third-grade teacher, Kimberly Coates, was arrested after reportedly teaching while heavily intoxicated on the first day of school at Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School in Perkins, Oklahoma.
Coates, 53, was found to be three times over the legal limit, according to bodycam footage from the incident. School administrators and officers confronted her after noticing her unusual behavior.
Superintendent Doug Ogle questioned Coates about a blue cup she had been drinking from, which she initially claimed contained juice. However, the officer pointed out that it held wine, and a breathalyzer test confirmed her high blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.24, three times the legal limit.
Coates blamed anxiety medication and drinking wine the previous night for her demeanor. She admitted to consuming alcohol on her way to work as well.
Despite her pleas, the officer informed Coates of her arrest, while Superintendent Ogle stated that she would be terminated due to her inappropriate behavior.
Coates was booked for public intoxication and removed from the school. The school district is cooperating with law enforcement and conducting an internal investigation.
