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A motion to increase the monthly stipend for members from $400 to $600 failed by a vote of 4-4. Boone District representative and Chairman Dawn McCray led the conversation on the increase.

鈥淭his amount has not been touched in at least 10 years,鈥� McCray said. She added that the increase would bring board members pay more in line with school board members in surrounding localities.

McCray said she would see no benefit if the stipend were increased. She recently announced she will be running for the Boone District seat on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors and will be stepping down from the school board after her term ends in December.

鈥淭his by no means compensates you for the time, but at least it moves us in the right direction,鈥� McCray said.

McCray鈥檚 Boone District seat is one of four school board seats up for reelection this November. In addition to McCray, Snow Creek District representative Carletta Whiting and At Large representative Kevin David have both announced they will not be seeking reelection.

Rocky Mount District representative Jeff Worley has announced he will once again be running for his seat this November.

Worley said members of the school board are the least paid elected officials in Franklin County. He suggested increasing the stipend could help encourage more people to run for the positions.

鈥淚 feel comfortable with this amount, I wouldn鈥檛 want to go any higher,鈥� Worley said.

Blue Ridge District representative Jonathan Holley said he agreed with the proposal. He was hesitant to vote for his own pay raise.

鈥淚 think it is absolutely reasonable,鈥� Holley said. 鈥淏ut I can鈥檛 vote for my own raise.鈥�

Worley made the motion to increase the stipend. He voted in favor of the increase along with McCray, Whiting and Gills Creek District representative Rebekah Slocum.

According to board rules, any motion that ties 4-4 automatically fails.