In a statement to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Polk County Public Schools spokesperson Kyle Kennedy finally conceded that the district is “working with Verra Mobility to negotiate a different payment method.” This shift in approach is a significant change from Kennedy’s earlier stance, where he insisted the initial contract was in compliance with Florida statutes, but said the language would merely be clarified. Since then, Kennedy dodged direct questions from The Capitolist about the status of the reworded contract.

Superintendent Fred Heid has tried to keep the focus on student safety, emphasizing that the Safe Stop program aims to curb illegal passing of school buses—a commendable goal, no doubt. But safety concerns don’t give the district a free pass to illegally funnel highly variable cash payments to Verra Mobility for each traffic violation. Heid’s emotional plea, citing 22 student traffic fatalities last year, highlights the program’s importance but sidesteps the core issue: ensuring the program operates within legal boundaries and doesn’t unfairly exploit Polk County motorists.

Verra Mobility, for its part, insists it’s playing by the rules and is happy to work with the district to update the contract in line with the new law. Valerie Schneider, the company’s spokesperson, stressed the company’s commitment to compliance, though Verra also initially denied that the contract was illegal.

The district says it hopes to have everything sorted out before September 24, when the cameras will start issuing actual citations rather than warnings. Meanwhile, parents, drivers, and taxpayers in Polk County remain in the dark about what exactly those changes will be, thanks to the district’s foot-dragging on the revised contract language.