News 12 at 11 o'clock / Thursday, May 3, 2012

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Dr. Frank Roberson has a chance to continue on as superintendent of Richmond County Schools.

On Thursday, the board voted 6-3 to let Roberson work during an eight-week trial period. During that period, he will work four hours a day.

"I really appreciate the board's confidence," Roberson said.

He called it a vote of confidence after what's been a challenging year for him.

In February 2011, Roberson had emergency brain surgery. In December, he returned to work about six hours a week.

"I miss the children. I miss the teachers. I miss working with the principals," he said. "Being able to do just that [again] is simply energizing."

This comes as Interim Superintendent Dr. James Whitson is retiring, and the school system needed someone full time, so the school board had to make a decision on whether or not to allow Roberson to return to his duties.

It's energizing for Roberson, and he says he hopes his potential return to full-time superintendent serves as a lesson for students.

"Perseverance and dedication and effort; those things will pay off," he said. "I think that's the lesson they can bring away from this."

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