James E. Perkinson was appointed interim member for the Sleepy Hole borough during Thursday’s School Board meeting.

Perkinson thanked members for allowing him to return to the board, adding, “I’m looking forward to working with you and helping to improve the public education in Suffolk.”

Perkinson will serve through Dec. 31. A special election to find a permanent member for Sleepy Hole will be held in November.

Diane Foster had to retire from the borough after moving to another part of Suffolk.

Perkinson, 69, holds a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and a master’s degree from Old Dominion University. He served on the board from 1996 to 2008, when Foster beat him when he was running for re-election.

Board members Thursday welcomed his return. “We certainly look forward to working with you again,” Enoch Copeland said.