Orono Middle School Principal Jeff Paul has accepted a new job and will be leaving OMS on June 30.

Paul said this week he has accepted a job as principal of the Dedham School beginning in July. The Dedham school has students in grades Pre-K-8 school, with total enrollment of about 200.

“Dedham is a little closer to home – I live in Orrington – and I have missed working with the K-5 age group,” said Paul. I have previously worked at either K-5 or K-8 schools and want to get back to that grade level. The school is truly the center of community activity in Dedham. om what I have heard and the people I have met, I think it is going to be a great fit for me. I am really looking forward to it.

At the same time, Paul said he would the miss the day to day interactions with the students and staff at OMS.

“Orono Middle School students for the most part are highly motivated learners who are fun to work with,” said Paul. “The OMS staff is a very capable and dedicated group that works hard to do what is best for the kids they work with.”

Prior to coming to OMS in 2012, Paul had been an assistant principal in Glenburn, and previously to that, in Pittsfield. He also was principal at the North Orrington School before that school was merged with another.