Lower Merion School District Names New Superintendent

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — The Lower Merion School District has its new superintendent.

The district has tapped Dr. Frank Ranelli as its new superintendent. Before Ranelli steps into his role in April, Dr. Lawrence J. Mussoline will serve as acting superintendent.

The board of school directors was scheduled to officially announce the appointments at a special meeting Monday, but due to inclement weather, the meeting will now be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The board selected these two highly qualified educational leaders during a six-month search process coordinated by the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit. The search included input shared by students, staff and community members, as well as in-depth interviews.

Ranelli has been the Superintendent of Schools in Piscataway, New Jersey, since 2019. Prior to that, he was Piscataway’s Assistant Superintendent for five years.

Ranelli began his career as a special education teacher, served as a high school assistant principal in Columbus, New Jersey, and then as a high school principal in both Lindenwold and Medford, New Jersey.

Ranelli received his bachelor’s degree from Kean University, his master’s from Georgian Court University and his doctorate from Wilmington University. He also holds a certification in Diversity and Equity from Cornell University.

"I am very proud and honored to become the next Superintendent of the Lower Merion School District," he said. "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.”

"We are honored to welcome Dr. Frank Ranelli as our new Superintendent, Dr. Kerry Sautner, President of the Lower Merion Board of School Directors, said. "Dr. Ranelli brings the steady leadership and student-centered vision needed to guide our district forward, ensuring that our choices and decisions prioritize the success and wellbeing of all of our students."

Before Ranelli takes over the district, Mussoline will fill the role of Acting Superintendent.

Mussoline has served as superintendent at four different districts since 1998. He recently retired from Haddonfield Borough School District in New Jersey and was Superintendent in Downingtown, Wilson and Pine Grove prior to that.

Mussoline holds a bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University, a master’s from Shippensburg and a doctorate from Penn State.

In addition to welcoming these two experienced educational leaders to the District, the Board would like to extend its gratitude to LMSD’s Assistant to the Superintendent for District Administration, Megan Shafer, who took on the additional responsibilities of Acting Superintendent during the six-month search. Ms. Shafer oversaw the implementation of universal full-day kindergarten and LMSD Smart Start, as well as the successful negotiations of labor agreements for staff and administrators.

Mussoline, and then Ranelli, joining the District will enable Shafer to return full-time to serving as the Assistant to the Superintendent for District Administration.