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Dallas PD: Substitute Teacher Was Drunk In Class

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May 14, 2008 4:49 pm US/Central

Dallas PD: Substitute Teacher Was Drunk In Class

Reporting
Steve Pickett

A substitute middle school teacher suspected of being drunk in class was too intoxicated to complete a sobriety test and was arrested, authorities said.

Thomas Brownlee, 56, was in a classroom at Parkhill Junior High on Tuesday with students and another staff member for about 20 minutes, Richardson school district spokesman Tim Clark said.

Brownlee, who is also a well-known musician, was substituting for a band class.

Another teacher suspected Brownlee was drunk and told a campus police officer. A Dallas police report states that Brownlee "had slurred speech, breath smelling of an alcoholic beverage and bloodshot eyes."

The officer stopped issuing a sobriety test out of concern for Brownlee's safety, according to the report.

Brownlee was charged with public intoxication, police said.

CBS 11 News talked with Brownlee who said he had wine with lunch, before actually being called to fill in on the job, but says he was never drunk.

"I was not intoxicated," Brownlee explained. "I wouldn't go to work intoxicated, particularly with children. I love children… anybody that knows me. I've gotten like, 80 calls [saying], 'Is that you?'"

Clark said students were never alone with Brownlee, and that the district had used him as a substitute teacher before without incident.

For the time being Brownlee has been suspended from subbing at Parkhill or any other Richardson ISD school.

(CBS 11 News/AP)