Parents at the IDEA Walzem campus in San Antonio have raised concerns about student safety due to fast-moving traffic on Walzem Road. Anne Ottinger, the mother of a second-grader, said, "Many fender benders I have observed myself. I have not yet seen children getting injured, but it’s just a matter of time until a kid gets injured here," according to KSAT.
Compounding the issue, there have been instances when parents, seeking to leave their children at the school gates, bring traffic to a halt on the road itself. "Correct, the parent will, instead of entering the school campus to drop the child off, they will stop in traffic and bring the traffic to a standstill to drop their child off, and let the child go to campus from there," Ottinger explained to KSAT. This practice increases the risk for young pedestrians crossing the road.
IDEA Public Schools acknowledged the traffic concerns, stating, "IDEA Walzem is aware of traffic concerns near campus. Campus staff is in contact with TxDOT to request a school zone." The school also encourages parents to follow proper procedures and traffic laws to help address the issue, as sated by Joinseacadets.
The Texas Department of Transportation has been in discussions with school and city officials about establishing a school zone, but there is no clear timeline for when additional safety measures will be implemented. "TxDOT is currently working with the city to obtain federal funding for a project," a Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson said, but they could not provide a schedule for the improvements, as reported by KSAT.
Ottinger urged immediate action, saying, "Please do not put a price on the safety or life of a child. You are aware of it. Action is needed." The community remains concerned about student safety at IDEA Walzem, as traffic hazards have yet to be addressed, as mentioned by Joinseacadets.