During a recent government meeting, a local father shared insights regarding the educational landscape in the community, highlighting the experiences of his children across various schools. He noted that two of his children attended Ashton Elementary, one went to Lakeview, three were enrolled at Sarasota Middle, and three at Riverview High School.

The father praised the dedicated staff at these institutions, particularly emphasizing the remarkable teachers he encountered during a recent event. He expressed a strong belief in the importance of community engagement, advocating for town hall meetings to involve parents and community members in discussions about educational developments, especially with the upcoming construction of a new high school at Welland Park. He acknowledged the lengthy nine-month process that had already taken place, mentioning that several scenarios had been considered, although only three were ultimately presented due to low percentages for the others.

Traffic congestion around Sarasota Middle, Ashton, and Lakeview was also a significant concern raised during the meeting. The father pointed out that the current infrastructure was not designed to handle the high volume of students and parents, leading to frequent bumper-to-bumper conditions.

Additionally, he brought attention to the issue of portable classrooms, referencing past safety and security incidents that have raised concerns within the community. The discussion underscored the need for ongoing dialogue and proactive measures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of local educational facilities.