LOWER MERION — Lower Merion School District officials welcomed its newest superintendent during his first school board meeting last week.
Frank Ranelli attended his first school board meeting after being named to his post earlier this year.
“I want to take a moment to welcome Dr. Ranelli to the school district,” said Kerry Sautner, president of Lower Merion’s school board.
Ranelli started with the district about one week before the board’s meeting. In January, the Lower Merion School Board voted to hire Ranelli.
“Since January, when I was appointed, I have received nothing but great welcome and support and things like that. So everything that you’re saying, I feel everything that goes along with a wonderful community like this,” Ranelli said.
The need for a new school district superintendent in Lower Merion followed the departure of Steven Yanni, who served in the position for less than one year.
Yanni left Lower Merion to become the superintendent in the Central Bucks School District, where he has reportedly been placed on leave following an independent investigation that he and others in that district misled police and parents about child abuse allegations.
In January, district officials issued a press release in which Ranelli was quoted about being named the district’s new superintendent.
“I am very proud and honored to become the next Superintendent of the Lower Merion School District. I am looking forward to working with the wonderful faculty and staff to continue the amazing work that is already taking place. LMSD is part of the fabric of an incredible community that offers students and families endless opportunities. I’d like to thank the Board of Directors for their confidence in me, and I am excited to be part of the Lower Merion family,” he said in his statement released by the school district.
In their January press release, district officials described him as an “experienced educational leader currently serving as the Superintendent of Schools for the Piscataway Township School District in Piscataway, N.J. With over 28 years in education, Dr. Ranelli has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence, professional development, and creating meaningful learning experiences for students. His vision centers around empowering educators, staff, and students to reach their full potential, ensuring every student receives an equitable and enriching educational experience.”
Before becoming the superintendent in Piscataway in 2019, he had been the assistant superintendent in the same district from 2014 to 2019. From 2008 to 2014, he was a principal at Burlington County Institute of Technology, and from 2005 to 2008, he was a principal at Lindenwold High School.
He was an assistant principal at Northern Burlington County Regional High School from 2003 through 2005, and from 1996 through 2003, he was a teacher of the handicapped/special education in the Woodbridge Township School District.
Ranelli’s education background includes an Ed.D. in Innovation and Leadership from Wilmington University. He also has a certificate from Cornell University’s Diversity and Inclusion Program.
He has a Master of Arts in administration, supervision, and curriculum planning from Georgian Court University in New Jersey and a Teacher of the Handicapped Certification Bachelor of Science in Management Science from Kean University in New Jersey.
Originally Published: May 5, 2025 at 8:46 AM EDT