RALEIGH -- A divided Wake County school board voted this afternoon to keep vending machines with soft drinks and other beverages in schools but also decided to allow sales only after the school day ends.

The school district's five-year, exclusive contract with Pepsi, which nets the district more than $1 million per year, will expire June 30. The board voted, 5-3, to have administrators to a draw up a request for company bids on new contracts. Under a new state law, the district would have to close separate deals for bottled water and juices and for soft drinks.

In an effort to mollify critics, the board also voted, 5-3, to limit the hours when the vending machines could be in use for students. Principals said they hoped that the change would not negatively affect how much money they collect from sales.

Of the more than $1 million in total soft-drink revenue, individual schools keep a total of more than $500,000. Principals said the money is used to pay teachers, provide tutoring, hire security guards and buy new computers.

Critics have said that offering soft drinks at schools sends the wrong message about nutrition to students. But supporters said students would buy drinks anyway, and schools might as well derive some benefit.

The board could vote March 7 on whether to formally submit the bid requests.