Wake County Board of Education Chairman Tyler Swanson said he's taking responsibility after being cited for speeding in a school zone in January and looking at ways to make school zones safer.
"It's no secret I received a speeding ticket in a school zone, and for that I want to take full responsibility," Swanson said during his board member comment during the school board's meeting Tuesday.
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The Cary police citation said Swanson was driving 47 miles per hour next to West Cary Middle School at 2:42 p.m., which was just 27 minutes after the school's 2:15 p.m. dismissal. The school's calendar lists Friday, Jan. 9 as a normal school day.
Swanson noted he had received considerable messages from the West Cary Middle community following the disclosure of his ticket in news reports earlier this month.
"I can assure you I have learned my lesson," he said, adding that he plans to drive 10 miles per hour under the speed limit in school zones in the future, to some laughter in the board room.
Swanson thanked the Cary police officer and all officers who sit in school zones to monitor speeding.
Swanson said he's talking with municipal and school leaders, including fellow school board member Cheryl Caulfield, about finding more ways to improve school zone safety. One idea proposed so far was painting the roads in a school zone to bring more attention to the school.
"We will be tackling that all together," he said.