Two new schools are coming to Manatee County, but the extra classrooms are causing some concerns when it comes to the safety of students
They will be located in Parrish, a town known for its farmland and Old Florida vibe.
- North River High School already in works
- Elementary school planned off Moccasin Wallow Road
- Residents concerned about extra traffic, student safety
"We didn't really move out this way for it to grow, but it's growing whether we're here or not," said resident Ken Vobroucek.
With construction for 9,200 homes approved in the northern part of Manatee County and the new Fort Hamer Bridge connecting Bradenton with U.S. 301, more people are laying roots in the area.
That means the need for more schools.
The new North River High School is already in the works on Erie Road. Less than a mile away, a new elementary school will be off Moccasin Wallow Road.
"I'm a little surprised it happened as quick as it did," said resident Dennis Prutsman.
One thing that's clearly lacking -- a sidewalk.
Prutsman moved to the Copperstone neighborhood about six years ago. It's a gated community next to the new elementary school's entrance on 115th Ave. East.
He said there is three times as much traffic in the area today than there was when he bought his house.
"You certainly don't want to walk down Moccasin Wallow," he said.
While the new school's entrance isn't directly on the main road, some kids walking to school will have to go onto it.
"I would hope that with the development, they would develop the walking trails and the sidewalks, so the kids can safely travel from one spot to another," Prutsman said.
Spectrum Bay News 9 reached out to the county and uncovered that as of now, there are no plans for sidewalks along moccasin wallow.
They will be placed by the new high school, however. Construction on those sidewalks are part of the county's next five year plan.
Both schools are set to open in August 2019.