Virtually anyone driving to campus before or after school knows that there is a school zone posted, requiring all drivers to maintain a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour. However, just east of Independence on Rolater, the school zone signal light is currently out.

While that may provide a temptation to speed in the mornings or afternoons, school resource officer, Jerry Varner, says it doesn’t matter if the light is on or off.

“You know it’s not a defense prosecution if the light is not flashing,” Varner said. “It’s clearly posted, the times, that the school zone is in effect. Your basic two options are either a verbal warning or a citation. It’s upon the officer’s discretion, and more times than not, you’ll get a citation.”

Although the signal light is for the school zone in front of campus, it’s not something the school controls or can even fix.

“The city is responsible for fixing that, not the school district. Granted, it is a school zone, but that’s not school property,” Varner said. “The city of Frisco maintains and manages the roadways and signs, so when the sign goes out, the city has to come and fix it.”