Florida School Administrator Suspended Over Flasher Costume

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — An administrator with a Florida school district was suspended for seven days without pay after showing up to an office Halloween event dressed as a flasher.

The Broward County School Board also ordered Mary C. Coker to undergo sensitivity training based on her Oct. 31 costume choice, which featured a nude-like body suit with fake pubic hair and nipples.

District Superintendent Robert Runcie had wanted to give Coker a $45,000-a-year demotion over the stunt.

But Coker, who is the district's director of procurement and warehousing services with responsibility for millions of dollars in purchasing, pleaded with the board at Tuesday's public meeting to keep her job.

"First and foremost, I want to publicly apologize once again," Coker told the board. "Please realize the impact that this demotion would have on me and my family."

Coker, who had no previous disciplinary issues, said she could potentially lose her home if the demotion were put in place.

"The unintended consequences would potentially allow me to lose my home …. I am recently divorced, and I’ve been caring for my ailing parents," she said. "I seek for your forgiveness. Please do not demote me."

District officials acknowledged that Coker had been rated as a highly effective leader prior to the Halloween costume incident.

Coker also pointed to her role in saving the district $50 million over the past three years in cost avoidances and other savings.

A number of district employees who work with Coker spoke on her behalf during the meeting, including one woman who said she had been bullied in the past by another worker prior to working for Coker.

"I am asking you for leniency and progressive discipline commensurate to what I have done," Coker told the board.