Parents urge sibling grandfathering, program continuity and River Road safety as Welland Park boundaries near final vote

At a final public hearing on attendance boundaries for the new Welland Park High School, parents, students and district staff discussed a recommended boundary map that would move students from Venice High and Northport High and is set for a formal vote by the Sarasota County School Board on Tuesday, Sept. 16. Superintendent Connor told attendees the board would not take action at the hearing and that the district is presenting the boundary advisory committee’s recommended scenario D as the most feasible option based on enrollment data and stakeholder input. The district said the new boundaries are intended to rebalance enrollment among Welland Park, Northport and Venice High schools and to return students currently attending Lemon Bay and Charlotte County into Sarasota County Schools. “Scenario D really does represent the best of all of those things related to data input and planning,” Superintendent Connor said. Parents and students urged the board to reduce disruption to families and existing programs. Michelle Ballantyne, a Venice High parent, said the current scenarios would “split our family” because one child would be grandfathered while another would be zoned to Welland Park; she asked the board to “consider grandfathering siblings so families aren't split.” Student Olivia Gerahan, who identifies herself as a Venice High freshman, said Venice’s established IB and AP programs and athletic recruiting are reasons students should be allowed to remain: “Venice High looks good when we apply to colleges. Welland Park High won't.” District staff described several measures they said are intended to preserve academic continuity. Dr. Green, addressing IB and advanced coursework, said the district has proposed a pathway to the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) that would allow students to complete the IB diploma at Welland Park and that the district expects a response from IB “mid-September.” He added that Advanced Placement courses through the College Board can be offered without lengthy authorization and are included in the plan. Staff also described how sibling preference and school choice will be handled. A district staff member identified as Millie said school-choice applications include a sibling option that receives additional weighting; she cautioned that the district cannot guarantee placements until final boundaries and enrollment numbers are known but pointed to a recent opening when siblings on wait lists were offered seats “within a day.” Parents pressed the board on safety and traffic near the new site. The superintendent said district staff and Welland Park developers are coordinating roadway work and that developers plan to install a lighted intersection at Minnesota Beach Road and River Road ahead of the school’s August 2026 opening. He also said the county approved an extension of Manasota B Road in a public–private partnership that developers hope will be completed before the school opens. Board members acknowledged concerns about athletics and extracurricular programs. Board member Edwards, who said he visited the new campus, called the facility “absolutely extraordinary” and said staff are working to avoid “decimating” programs at Venice. He also confirmed the district’s intent to honor students who are already taking pre-IB coursework, saying students on track to declare for the IB diploma would be considered in the proposal submitted to IB so their prior work is not lost. No formal action was taken at the hearing. Superintendent Connor told attendees the board will consider and vote on the boundary advisory committee’s recommendation at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m.