MANATEE — This year, more Manatee County middle school students are pregnant or parenting than in the last eight years, ranking the county 17th out of Florida’s 67 counties in the rate of teens who get pregnant.
There are 14 middle school students and 147 high school students in Manatee County pregnant or parenting at this time.
Those and other statistics released by the School District of Manatee County to members of the Manatee CEO Roundtable on Friday create a disturbing picture, said assistant superintendent of schools Lynette Edwards.
“What concerns us the most is that the numbers are not going down,” Edwards said.
Edwards delivered her report to public defender Larry Eger, state Reps. Keith Fitzgerald and Ron Reagan, Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker, school superintendent Tim McGonegal, Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston, Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube and Manatee County Public Health physician Dr. Jennifer Bencie Fairburn, among others. The roundtable meets quarterly to focus on issues impacting children.
Typically, four to six middle school students, age 12 to 15, are pregnant in the county at any one time, Edwards said. Right now, however, there are at least 14.
Attendance and academic performance issues are also increasing.
“These kids are not concerned about their education, as pregnant students from past years were,” Edwards said.
Three middle school students in Manatee County have given birth multiple times, with two on their second pregnancy and one on her third, Edwards said.
“What we are finding in our studies is that many of these children who are getting pregnant are seeking a family life,” McGonegal said.
“They are hoping to find love. We are assembling a task force to address this issue.”
Statistics covering Manatee County high schools show that 26 babies born to students are enrolled at the D.M. Riley Educare Center at Manatee Technical Institute.
The school district counts each baby the same as it would a student, and is paid by the state in a similar fashion, McGonegal said.
Right now, 33 students are enrolled at Central High School who are pregnant or parenting. Students may stay in their home high schools or go to Central, but more and more are choosing to stay at their home schools, Edwards said.
Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.
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