FRANKLIN—Franklin City Council on Monday reappointed Johnetta Nichols to her third and final three-year term on the school board.

The Council voted 6-0 with councilman Greg McLemore abstaining. A Hertford County, N.C., educator Nichols was chosen for the Ward 3 seat over Jamaal Whitehurst due to her experience on the board.

“We felt that both applicants’ hearts were in the right place,” councilman Barry Cheatham said. “At this time, experience won out.”

McLemore argued that experience might not always be a good thing.

“We have a lot of experience on our council, and that has not necessarily been beneficial,” he said.

McLemore commended both for applying.

“I applaud their civic interest,” McLemore said.

Councilman Don Blythe said he felt 30 minutes for school board interviews, which were held June 20, was not long enough. He asked council to consider more than five minutes per council member for questions in the future.

Nichols graduated from Franklin High School in 1970 and Norfolk State University in 1975. She retired from the Hopewell school system in 2005 after 30 years. She serves as a special education teacher for Hertford County Schools.

School board members can serve up to three, three-year terms.