By ROBERT L. LEE

RESERVE – Parents and faculty at Riverside Academy received a shock Wednesday, when Principal Barry Heltz and Athletic Director/Softball Coach Matt White turned in letters of resignation.

“They each turned their letter of resignation, cleaned their desks off and left,” said Lennon Madere, vice president of the board of directors at Riverside Academy. “They each said it was for personal reasons. When someone resigns for personal reasons, we would like to know, but we also respect them as personal reasons.”

Madere said it seemed like everyone on the faculty was dazed by the announcement.

“It was a shock, not as bad as a terrorist attack, but it wasn’t planned,” Madere said. “But I assured the teachers that two people leaving is not going to shut the school down.”

“I’ve been a principal for 32 years, it’s time to do something else,” explained Heltz. “Being a principal requires a lot of hours and at my age I am trying to cut back. I turned in my resignation three weeks ago, but they made me change my mind. I feel it is time for a change.”

White’s resignation added to the school officials’ shock, especially coming directly after coaching the Lady Rebels to the state softball championship. White was unavailable for questions as of press time Friday.

Madere said Assistant Principal Bridget Sinibaldi is currently filling in as principal, and the coaching position for the summer softball team has been filled. He said Riverside Academy would seek candidates for permanent positions in the near future and would probably hire a member of the current staff into at least one of the positions.

Heltz, 53, began his career at the newly opened Riverside Academy as a teacher and volunteer football and basketball coach in 1970, after graduating from Nicholls State University. He then became the head basketball coach and continued on the football staff until 1978.

“I was looking to leave in ’79, and school board members approached me and asked me to be principal,” Heltz said. He said he was somewhat unsure of taking the position but worked as the school’s principal and athletic director. To comply with the requirements of being a principal, Heltz studied to attain his master’s degree in administration and supervision in the 18 months allowed, before the school would be placed on probation. For the past 32 years, he has handed over the reins of athletic director and taught at least one section of classes, usually United States history.

“I am proud Riverside Academy has become a very good academic place for a child to grow socially and mentally,” said Heltz. “The school is made up of hard-working people and I am proud of the school’s academic standing.”

He said numerous conversations with other people often turn to the subject of athletics, and although he admits Riverside’s teams have prospered, “I strictly talk about academics.”

Heltz said he plans to look into becoming a teacher with the public school system, for more of an 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. position, rather than working sometimes 6 a.m.-midnight.

“The amount of hours I spent at the school was unbelievable,” he said. “I need to start thinking about me for a little while.”