LOWER MERION — In a brief letter to the community, Dr. Frank Ranelli, superintendent of the Lower Merion School District, announced that he will leave the district after two years.
“After much thought and consideration, I will be resigning my position as LMSD Superintendent as of April 30. I am sure people will question why; and simply, this position is just not a good match for me,” Ranelli wrote in his letter to the community.
Ranelli said he learned a lot about the community during his time in Lower Merion, and he truly feels they accomplished great work together.
“The students in our schools are incredible! And all our staff, in all our departments, always put kids first,” Ranelli added.
Ranelli was appointed Superintendent in January of 2025 and began his tenure in April 2025. Ranelli was hired to succeed Steven Yanni, who left Lower Merion after less than one year to lead the Central Bucks School District. The Central Bucks School District later fired Yanni.
One major issue during Ranelli’s tenure was the debate over the district’s student technology policies. Last year, a group of parents complained that students were spending too much time on screens. The district revised its technology guidelines. However, Ranelli was criticized for rejecting demands to allow parents to opt their children out of what they described as the overuse of technology. Several parents have since filed a federal lawsuit over the district’s technology policies.
In response to Ranelli’s announced resignation, Kerry Sautner, president of the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, shared what the district will do next.
“As Dr. Ranelli has shared, he has informed the Board of his decision to resign, effective April 30, 2027. We thank him for his service to our students and staff and wish him well,” Sautner wrote. “While we are deeply saddened by Dr. Ranelli’s choice to move on from the District, we are extremely grateful for his time, dedication and willingness to support LMSD through the upcoming leadership transition. We want every student, family and staff member to know that our schools remain steady, our commitment to students remains strong, and the Board is dedicated to conducting a careful and thorough search for our next leader.”
According to Sautner, at the school board’s October meeting, the board will begin discussing the search process and timeline, “including meaningful opportunities for students, families, staff and community members to share their priorities for our next superintendent. We will keep you informed at every step.”
“LMSD’s strength has always been our people: the students who inspire us, the educators and staff who put students first and a community that cares deeply about its schools. As a Board, we pledge to find LMSD’s next leader who is a good match and whom we promise to support,” Sautner wrote.