Wake school board Chairman Tyler Swanson pleaded guilty Wednesday to speeding in a school zone.
Swanson was pulled over in January after police said he was going 47 mph on Evans Road next to West Cary Middle School while the speed limit was 25 mph.
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On Wednesday, Swanson pleaded to a lesser charge of speeding in a school zone, 40 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone. He had no prior traffic tickets, and provided character references and a record of community service.
"Today, I accepted full responsibility for my recent speeding ticket in a school zone," Swanson said in a statement. "I deeply regret my mistake because I was not paying attention. No one is above the law, and I have been accountable for my actions."
Swanson thanked his attorney John McWilliam and said he's focused on the current school year, which began Monday in most Wake schools.
"As we enter a new school year, I encourage everyone to slow down and use extra caution in school zones across Wake County, or wherever they live," Swanson said. "Our students, families, teachers, and staff deserve to be safe. I remain committed to serving our students, teachers, and families and addressing the challenges facing Wake County Public Schools."
In April, he told reporters he had "learned my lesson."
Swanson was elected to the school board in 2022 and became chairman in December. He represents Cary and part of Apex.
He's running for re-election this November, against Cheryl Alexis and Brian Olson.
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.
School zones are established by local ordinance and require slower driving in certain circumstances. In Cary, school zone speed limits are 25 miles per hour, and they're in effect for the 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after school begins and ends and sometimes more often.
The citation says the Swanson was driving on Evans Road, a four-lane major road off of which people enter the school. Outside of the school zone hours, the road as a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.
Swanson originally faced a fine of $441 but will now only be required to pay $191.
During a March 9 work session, in which the school board discussed speed-zone cameras, Swanson said he's glad the district could move forward with cameras, especially as they encourage walking to school. "I do think this is something that we should address and move forward with, as long as there's partnerships," Swanson said.