Tacoma teacher fired, accused of being ‘fairly intoxicated’ in class

A teacher at Tacoma’s Larchmont Elementary School has been fired by the Tacoma School District as the result of what district officials describe as an “alcohol-related offense” that occurred Feb. 19.

Klara Bowman, who was hired by the district in 2008, was fired last week, according to Shannon McMinimee, the school district’s attorney. She said Bowman is appealing the district’s action.

District spokesman Dan Voelpel said Bowman was let go because “it appeared she had alcohol in a beverage container in class.”

McMinimee told KIRO-TV that Bowman, a kindergarten teacher, was found “fairly intoxicated” in her classroom after a student went to the principal’s office, saying something was wrong with her.

KIRO reported that Bowman, 32, was removed from the classroom and, according to McMinimee, walked into a wall as she was escorted down the hallway by the principal and assistant principal.

A previous incident involving alcohol, in 2011, resulted in a “last chance” agreement between Bowman and the school district — an agreement school officials said she had abided by until the incident last month.

The News Tribune has requested public records detailing the incident and actions taken by the school district. That request is still being processed by the school district.

Bowman could not be reached for comment.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 3:53 PM with the headline "Tacoma teacher fired, accused of being ‘fairly intoxicated’ in class."