CAPE ELIZABETH — The principal of Cape Elizabeth Middle School announced his resignation Friday, after accepting the superintendent of schools position in Regional School Unit 60.

Steve Connolly said in his resignation letter that he will continue to work as principal until as late as December to help ease the transition for staff and students.

“I have greatly enjoyed the 21 years – as a teacher, coach, and administrator – I have spent at CEMS,” Connolly said. “I am appreciative of the culture of learning that exists in Cape Elizabeth and feel well prepared to take on the newest challenge in my career.”

Replacing Connolly will be a two-phase process with an interim principal assigned around Thanksgiving and a planned permanent hire by March 2013, according to an announcement by Superintendent Meredith Nadeau.

Connelly was hired as principal of the middle school in 2005.

RSU 60 serves the communities of North Berwick, Berwick and Lebanon.