Penn Wynne Elementary School Principal Shawn Bernatowicz will retire at the end of this school year after 36 years in public education.
Bernatowicz shared the news in a letter to families on Friday, Oct. 23. He has led the Wynnewood school for more than two decades, a tenure he described as "twenty-plus years of support" from the Penn Wynne community.
"After 36 years in public education, I have made the decision to retire at the end of this school year," Bernatowicz wrote. "I know this will be a bittersweet transition, but I will leave knowing that the kids at PW are in good hands."
His departure adds another leadership change to a district already navigating turnover at the top. Superintendent Frank Ranelli announced in early October that he would resign effective April 30, 2027, after roughly two years on the job. Ranelli told the community the position was "just not a good match for me," as the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Ranelli was hired at a salary of $290,000 to lead the district, which has 11 schools and enrolls about 8,500 students. Before he started in April 2025, Lower Merion had three superintendents in three years, according to the Inquirer.
School Board President Kerry Sautner said the district will hire an outside firm to conduct a local and national search for Ranelli's replacement, Main Line Media News reported.
In his letter, Bernatowicz said Ranelli would share details about the process to find Penn Wynne's next principal "in the coming weeks." He also referenced Dr. Brown as someone who would remain to support families through the transition.
Bernatowicz, known to students as "Mr. B," asked parents to share the news with their children. He wrote that many adults at Penn Wynne would continue to support students in the years ahead.
Sautner has promised community members will have opportunities to weigh in on priorities for the district's next superintendent. No date for that input process has been announced.
