PERKINS, OKLAHOMA: In a surprising turn of events on the first day of school, a third-grade teacher, Kimberly Coates, is facing allegations of public intoxication.
She allegedly consumed a substantial amount of alcohol during an intervening period, possibly while on the job.
"You seem like you're not the same person I talked to this morning," a school superintendent reportedly told Coates, 53.
The incident unfolded in Oklahoma on Thursday, August 17. These revelations come from official statements provided by the Perkins Police Department.
The incident took place at the Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School, where Coates was a teacher.
The school administration reportedly observed Coates behaving strangely and in an "off" manner. Concerns were raised about her well-being and the potential impact of her actions on the students.
"The school administration contacted our school resource officer. Whenever he got there, he saw some signs that maybe she was impaired," PPD Sergeant Spencer Gedon said.
This prompted the involvement of local law enforcement to assess the situation.
Was Kimberly Coates drunk?
According to bodycam footage released by the Perkins Police Department, Coates admitted to consuming a significant amount of alcohol earlier that same morning.
She allegedly confessed to drinking half a box of wine until approximately 3:00 a.m.
The school day at Perkins-Tryon Intermediate School begins at 8.25 am, leaving only a few hours between her reported drinking and the start of the school day.
The situation escalated when Coates was subjected to a sobriety test, specifically a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT).
The test, though considered less accurate than a Breathalyzer machine, allegedly revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.24 – a staggering three times the legal limit for driving.
"She blew a 0.24 on the PBT and like for a DUI, the legal limit is 0.08," Gedon informed local news outlet KFOR.
“That’s not just one drink and you’re there. That’s several drinks,” the sergeant told local CBS affiliate KWTV.
Despite not driving, Coates was taken into custody and booked into the Payne County Jail for public intoxication.
The incident prompted a response from the school district, which issued a statement addressing the situation as a "personnel issue" and assuring parents of their children's safety.
Kimberly Coates seen on police bodycam footage
Superintendent Doug Ogle, who oversaw Coates, observed her behavior closely.
As she gathered her belongings, Ogle noticed a cup emitting a distinct odor of alcohol. The body-worn camera footage captured Ogle's interaction with the teacher as he questioned the contents of the cup.
"No more games, right? What is in that?" Ogle is heard asking Coates.
Coates initially responded, "My juice," but the school resource officer detected the unmistakable scent of alcohol. “Want to try again? That there is wine,” he was heard saying.
Coates later admitted to having consumed alcohol the night before and on her way to work, but she maintained that she had not consumed any alcohol on school property.
“Kimberly stated she drank out of that cup yesterday and not today,” the initial police report stated.
However, contrary to her claims, evidence suggested otherwise.
“He determined that she was under the influence of alcohol, and she blew into a PBT and confirmed that she did have alcohol in her system,” Gedon told local ABC affiliate KOCO.
“The school got on it fast. 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," Gedon added.
The incident has raised concerns within the community about the safety and well-being of students.
The school district's swift response and cooperation with law enforcement have been commended for prioritizing the safety of all individuals involved.
As of now, Coates has been released from custody, and it remains uncertain whether formal charges will be filed.
