WALLA WALLA - A new principal has been named at Pioneer Middle School in Walla Walla.

Mira Gobel will head the middle school. She has been the associate principal at Walla Walla High School since 2003.

While at Walla Walla High, she was responsible for the implementation of the Advancement Via Individual Determination program and the advancement of the Response to Intervention program.

Gobel will replace former Principal Dana Jones, who accepted a position in the Longview School District.

Also, Mark Pickel, former assistant principal at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, has been named as one of three new assistant principals at Walla Walla High School. The others are McLoughlin Middle School teacher Stacy Estes and longtime administrator and educator Ron Higgins.