A Lee County teacher could soon lose her job after district documents show she reported to work under the influence of cocaine and allegedly allowed students to vape inside her classroom.

The School District of Lee County has filed a petition for termination against Nuria Acuna, a teacher at Island Coast High School in Cape Coral.

The Lee County School District said Acuna tested positive for cocaine on Feb. 13, after a staff member reported her behavior, prompting a drug test.

District officials say Acuna was immediately removed from the classroom and placed under investigation in February.

“During follow-up interviews conducted later for the drug test investigation, multiple students advised the investigator that the employee vaped in a class and permitted students to vape in that class. It was also reported that the employee shared her personal vaping device with students in the class and sold drinks and chips to students from her room,” a representative with the school district told WINK Investigates.

Two parents with seniors at Island Coast High School said they were shocked and support the district’s decision to fire her.

“No teacher or student should be allowed to be under the influence of any substance or smoke or vape at school,” Margeret said.

Another parent, Janay, said, “I think she should be terminated and I think she should be more than terminated. She should be in jail.”

A student who had Acuna as a teacher described her as “chill,” but said they now understand the seriousness of the allegations.

“She would give us vapes,” Chloe Pitt said. “You can’t bring drugs into school. It’s 2025, we can’t be having that.”

Another student, Trevor Caradonna, didn’t have Acuna as a teacher but said he’s frustrated with what he sees as misplaced priorities.

“The school is focused on phones, but teachers can come in high? Make that make sense,” Caradonna said.

Acuna faces four counts of misconduct, including:

Ethics in Education: Based upon violations of Board Policy 3210.01Standards of Ethical Conduct for Instructional Staff: Based upon violations of Board Policy 3210Educator Misconduct: Based upon violations of Board Policy 3139Florida Administrative Code: Based upon violations of Rule 6A-5.056(2),

Superintendent Denise Carlin has endorsed the recommendation for termination.

The school district told WINK Investigates, “Reporting is not required, so law enforcement was not involved.”

WINK Investigates followed up with the district on why law enforcement was not notified if Acuna allegedly provided students with a vape device that could contain nicotine or other substances. The district has not responded.

WINK News reached out to Acuna multiple times by phone and text. She responded with “no comment” via text.

When WINK Investigates visited Acuna’s home, a woman identifying herself as Acuna’s mother said her daughter had been teaching for 15 years.

Acuna is currently suspended without pay pending a termination hearing scheduled for November 4.

The Lee County Teachers Association declined to comment on the case.

WINK Investigates has also asked the district if this was Acuna’s first instance of misconduct. The district has not yet responded.