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Marana teacher suspended after alcohol-induced collapse

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A Northwest Side elementary-school music teacher was suspended with pay Thursday after collapsing just before class began because she drank too much alcohol, authorities said.

Another teacher was escorting her students to Tamara Cook's classroom at Thornydale Elementary School, 7751 N. Oldfather Drive, when the teacher saw Cook fall to the floor, said Tamara Crawley, a spokeswoman for the Marana Unified School District.

The teacher immediately retuned the students to their class to prevent them from seeing what happened, and 911 was called, Crawley said.

Northwest Fire/Rescue District and the Pima County Sheriff's Department went to the school about 10 a.m.

When deputies tried to help Cook get off the ground, they smelled alcohol on her breath, said Deputy Dawn Barkman, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

After refusing treatment, Cook was tested to see if alcohol was in her system. The test came back positive, Barkman said.

Attempts to reach Cook on Friday afternoon were unsuccessful.

Cook, who has been with the district since August 2001, wasn't cited, though charges could be pending, Barkman said.

She has been placed on paid administrative leave and a substitute teacher will instruct the music classes, according to a letter that was sent home Thursday to parents from Thornydale Principal Lynnette Brunderman.

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