RMA Supt. retiring

GAINESVILLE - Riverside Military Academy Superintendent Col. Guy Gardner is retiring.

Gardner says he and his wife have decided to leave Riverside at the end of the school year in order "to move north and put down roots closer to our children and family."

The former astronaut has held the top post at the Gainesville school the past three years.

"It has been an extremely difficult decision for us, as Riverside has become part of our family and we have grown quite attached to you all," Gardner wrote in a letter to the "Riverside Family," announcing his plans. "I am announcing our planned departure at this time in order to give our Board of Trustees sufficient time to find the right person to lead Riverside into the future."

Gardner added he has agreed to serve past next summer if necessary in order to provide a smooth transition.

A statement issued by the RMA Board of Trustees said, "Over the past 100 years, Riverside Military Academy has had a history of providing superior academic, leadership, and character education to thousands of cadets. Col. Gardner has taken that standard of excellence and raised it to an even higher level. His leadership over the past three years has significantly improved the academic performance of the cadets; has created a new, positive and professional school climate; and has energized everyone associated with RMA. He has set Riverside Military Academy on a new course that will allow RMA to meet its mission and goals for another 100 years."

The statement went on to say, "The RMA community will be forever grateful to Col. Gardner and his gracious wife Linda for making RMA one of the best college preparatory and character development schools in the nation. Together they have brought together all of the Academyâ