Manatee family worries about school safety on U.S. 19 in Palmetto

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Now that school is back in session, some Manatee County parents are concerned about the dangers of their kids walking to and from school on busy roads.

Florida law says students who live within a two-mile radius of their school are not eligible to ride the bus. A Bay area family says their only alternative is to drive their kids to and from school every day.

“Give them a hug and a kiss, tell them I love them, and have a good day,” he said.

That’s how Ryan Foster and his wife start every morning on the way to dropping off their two sons at Palm View Elementary School. They say driving their kids to school is their only safe option.

“It’s so fast right here,” Ryan said.

He’s talking about U.S.-19 in north Palmetto. And he’s right — it is a heavily traveled highway.

That’s why Foster and his wife don’t feel comfortable letting their kids walk to and from school.

“And it’s busy,” he explained.

But they can’t take the bus either. A Florida statute states that students who live less than two miles away from their school are not eligible for district transportation.

“Shocked, really. I didn’t know that. I thought being closer to the school, yeah, it wouldn’t be a problem like that. I thought people that are closer to the school are the ones that for sure are going to be able to get on the bus,” he said.

The family’s drive to school is a smooth ride, and the drop-off is easy.

It’s actually later in the day when Ryan said he is more concerned — pointing out that the worst traffic on this stretch of highway is when kids get out of school.

“I don’t even want them walking or riding their bikes to school because it’s so fast — these cars are moving,” he said.

The situation has affected the family’s business, too.

“I like to work till 4 or 5 (p.m.). That cuts my job by two hours. I can’t go pick them up from school, drop them off, and then go back to work,” he said.

While Ryan and his family navigate their way through the school year, they hope the district will add a bus stop by their house.