Evening star., 1953-04-01
Dr.. Broome to End ~ Years
With Montgomery Schools
Pluns. Retirement
After Long Term
As Superintendent
By chorIes [. Hoffmon

O11ymOuS Win the name OF DR..
Edwin w. Broome in Montgom-
cry County.
For nearly a half-century his
whole life has been focused on
the county's schools and its chill
dren.
At the end of this school year,
DR.. Broome will retire after SO
years as county superintendent.
Other school officials say there
is not a teacher among the
county's 1.400 who has taught in
Montgomery under any other SUI
perintendent.
Steers Talk From Himself.
A reporter who goes up to DR..
Broome and asks him about his
life will get in return a broad
smile, a pat on the back and an
"Of with you now."
But ask him about the county
schools and their progress and
he'll talk freely. In reality the
talk will be about himself. for
the schools are his life.
Born on a farm at Darnestown
in 1885, he attended the Andrew
Small Academy there. He joined
the school system in 1906.
For two years he taught at a
one-room school at Cabin John.
Then In 1908 he was named as
Sistant superintendent of schools.
Nine years later, during World
War I. he became superintend-
ent.
In those days there were about
40 one-room schools in the then
rural county. There were a few
small high schools-with from
two to five teachers each-at
Rockville. Poolesville. Damascus,
Gaithersburg and Sandy Spring.
The entire county teaching staff
was less than some high schools
now nave.
Friends Reveal Story.
Most of DR.. Broome's story
must be obtained from his friends
and associates, like Thomas w.
Pyle. former principal for %
years at Bethesda Chevy Chase
High School and now assistant
superintendent.
Somewhere along the line, and
it was early in his life, Mr.. Pyle
says, DR.. Broome caught q Ger
tain dream"
Possibly it was this dream
which has endeared him to the
thousands of children he has
known, for it was focused on
his tremendous faith in the pos
sibilities for the growth Of a
child.
Out Of this faith grew his
leadership In continually press
ing for better schools, I better
teachers and better parents, All
these, he believes. create a sit
uation in which the child can
reach his greatest stature.
AS a result of his dream
Montgomery County has been
in the forefront in establishment
Of kindergartens. junior high
schools, junior colleges, the
school lunch program, consol-
idated high schools and a single
salary schedule for elementary
and high school teachers.
Fought for Equalization Fund.
DR.. Broome was a leader in
establishment Of the State school
equalization fund which aimed
at giving children throughout
the State equal opportunity for
learning and growth, regardless
Of where the taxable wealth lay.
One of his chief accomplish
ments was the setting up of the
State teachers retirement sys-
tenn.
Another Of DR.. Broome's old
friends is Mrs. Lucy Barnsley,
who retired two years ago after
50 years as a county teacher.
Mrs. Barnsley says she learned
more from DIR. Broome about
children and teaching than she
did in any normal school.
Buries Himself In His Work.
Much Of this success can be
attributed to his submerging of
himself in his work, Mr.. Pyle
says.
The superintendent comedies
ne can't recall when he last took
q. vacation except for "the time
when I was sick" Several years
ago DR.. Broome suffered a stroke
and was away from his desk for
two months. But today he
nearly always is at the Office
seven days a week. although he
admittedly knocks off at noon
on the week ends"
Another aspect of his great
ness" Mr.. Pyle says, "is an abil-
lty to brush aside the trivia and
get into the real heart of q
problem"
He has gained the trust and
loyalty Of his teachers by con-
calling on them to help
lay out programs. He believes
that "as a teacher grows so
grows the child"
From his early days, DR..
Broome has encouraged the work
Of parent-teacher associations.
Much Of the credit for the coun-