MIDDLEBORO — The Middleboro School Committee is evenly divided on who should serve as its next chair.

Zeke Lewis and Susan Pennini each received three votes at the board’s April 10 meeting. 

The split vote prompted School Committee member Allin Frawley to call for the board to either shrink or expand from its current six members to avoid divided votes going forward.

He said he would make that recommendation the next time the town charter is reviewed. 

Lewis, Jessica Chartoff and Frawley voted for Lewis. Pennini, Christopher Benson and newly elected Shannon Breen selected Pennini.

Lewis, who is starting his fifth year on the committee, argued that being the longest-serving committee member gives him history and experience that no one else on the board has. 

He also graduated from the district less than 10 years ago, which he said provides a “boots on the ground’’ approach. Some of the educators and staff members he knew as a student remain in the district, which he said can be an asset.

Pennini acknowledged she has served less time as she enters her second year. But she said her experience in educational administration and the time she has as a retiree reflect her knowledge and ability to dig deeply into issues.

She said she wants to find “more ways to get community input in a productive way so that we continue to move the district forward.’’

When an additional vote still left members split, they agreed to have Frawley remain as chair until at least the next meeting, when another vote could be taken.

Select Board member Teresa Farley, who previously served on the School Committee, said the split vote “is indicative of more than three vs. three.’’

There has been “a lot of contention’’ among board members, she said. “We’re trying to do better but we’re not there yet,’’ she said.

She urged committee members to take time to decide “who will bring the committee forward and base your vote on that.’’