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Board approves attendance boundaries and walking descriptions for new Welland Park High School opening 2026
Summary
The Sarasota County School Board approved recommended attendance boundaries and walking descriptions to support the opening of Welland Park High School in August 2026, a change intended to relieve capacity at North Port and Venice high schools; the votes were unanimous after lengthy public engagement.
The Sarasota County School Board approved new attendance boundaries and walking descriptions for Welland Park High School on Sept. 16, clearing the way for the school’s planned opening in August 2026. The boundary plan, developed with a Boundary Advisory Committee and district planning staff, was presented by Superintendent Connor and approved unanimously by the board.
The district said the map and walking descriptions are intended to relieve capacity at North Port and Venice high schools and to accommodate projected growth in South County. Board members and staff said the recommended maps reflect substantial community input; School Board Member Bridget Ziegler thanked volunteers and noted staff would continue family‑by‑family outreach to support transitions.
“A recommended maps that we’re voting on were actually brought forward by a community member,” School Board Member Liz Barker said, praising community engagement. The board approved the boundary recommendations and the associated walking descriptions in two votes; both passed 5–0.
What passed
- 11.1: Adoption of recommended attendance boundaries for Welland Park, North Port and Venice High Schools (approved 5–0). - 11.2 & 11.3: Official walking descriptions for Welland Park and revised walking descriptions for North Port and Venice High Schools (approved 5–0).
Why it matters
The boundary changes will affect where students attend beginning with the 2026–27 school year and are intended to relieve overcrowding and align attendance zones with the new school opening. District staff said they will follow up with affected families to address transitions and transportation planning.
Next steps
District staff will finalize operational details, submit required documentation for transportation planning, and communicate boundary information directly to impacted families prior to the implementation date in August 2026.
