Because Roberson is still working no more than six hours a week until further instructions from his doctors, the school system will be without a superintendent unless action is taken.

School board President Alex Howard said that the system’s attorney will meet with Roberson’s physicians in the next seven to 10 days and that a decision on how to proceed regarding Roberson’s status will be made.

Roberson has been absent for about 14 months after having emergency brain surgery Feb. 24, 2011, for an arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal clustering of blood vessels on the brain.

Whitson, who turns 63 in May, said his decision to retire was unrelated to the issues with Roberson. He said he is interested in returning to a job as a college professor and spending more time with family, including a second grandchild who is on the way.

“Any time you say you’re stepping away from something I’ve done for 41 years of my life is difficult,” Whitson said. “But this isn’t something that’s new.”

Whitson joined Richmond County in 2009 after almost 40 years working in administrative and teaching positions in Georgia and South Carolina. He was hired as acting superintendent under then-Superintendent Dana Bedden and never expressed interest in being the face of the district before he had to take over for Roberson, who was hired in August 2010.

In his 14 months as acting superintendent, Whitson had to balance a budget facing a $17 million revenue shortfall, deal with state changes to the Georgia pre-kindergarden program and address a transportation system that began the year with serious glitches – while also continuing the duties of deputy superintendent.

“We asked a lot of him,” Howard said. “I think he did a great job. It takes a special person to do what he did, and he did it because he loves education and loves children. That speaks a lot to what kind of man he is.”

Howard said leadership decisions will be made after the board knows more about Roberson’s medical condition next week.