By: Joe Shouse
HAVILAND – In a special meeting of the Wayne Trace School District the board unanimously approved Paul Jones as the new Payne Elementary principal. Jones received a three-year contract and will replace former principal Jody Dunham who recently retired.
Most recently, Jones served as the high school principal at Edgerton this past school year. Prior to his one-year stint at Edgerton, Jones served as the elementary principal for five years at North Central in Pioneer.
“I have lived in Edgerton all my life and when the high school principal position came available at Edgerton I thought it would be a good move. It was a good experience but I realized that I missed the elementary age students and when the Payne opportunity opened up I felt it would be a good way to get back to my true passion,” said Jones.
Jones attended Defiance College where he received his bachelor’s in Education with a concentration in Elementary Education and History in 2000. Upon graduation he received certification in Elementary Education (grade 1-8). In 2005 Jones received his Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration at Bowling Green State University.
Jones started his teaching career at North Central where he was in the classroom at the elementary level from 2001-2012.
“My passion is with the elementary age group. When I was away from them last year I really missed them. Being from Edgerton and the tie between Edgerton and Wayne Trace in the Green meadows Conference, I knew about Wayne Trace. I have a sincere admiration for the Wayne Trace district. I am comfortable in a rural setting and getting back to the elementary age kids is exciting. I believe Wayne Trace and Payne Elementary is a good fit for me,” Jones said.
Jones is married and he and his wife Melinda, an early intervention specialist at Edgerton, have three sons and a daughter.
An avid Ohio State and Bowling Green fan, Jones realizes that he may be getting a late start to his new position but is excited about working with the Payne staff.
“I really don’t think the later-than-usual start and making the transition will be that difficult. I am excited about the new school year and working with the elementary age students,” Jones concluded.
