Eddie Ray Broussard – Math & Science Education, August 1937; M.Ed., 1951

Eddie Ray Broussard

August, 1937 & 1951

            I, Eddie Ray Broussard, was born in Vermilion Parish on August 25, 1916. My parents were farmers and what they lacked in money, they gave us in love.

I graduated from Abbeville High School on May 18, 1934 and enrolled at SLI (Southwestern Louisiana Institute).  The following week, I started working my way through school, majoring in Math and Science.  For the first two and one-half years I lived with a family in Lafayette.  All my time was spent going to class and working.  My undergraduate work was completed in August 1937, but I had to wait until June 1938 to graduate.  My first teaching job was at Pecan Island High School where I taught Math.  Later I served as principal before entering the U.S. Navy.

In 1939, I married Ruby B. Broussard and we have three grown children who are all doing well.

After the war, I continued my education with aid from the G. I. Bill, receiving my masters degree in education in 1951.

In 1962, the American Legion Post 29 and Auxiliary in Vermilion were asked by the State American Legion to sponsor a Parish Day government program.  The program was for all schools in the parish, in cooperation with the school board and the Police Jury, to teach young high school students more about their duties and learning how to govern themselves.  The students actually learned by doing the services performed by our parish offices.  I was asked to serve as chairman of this committee with many loyal and dedicated Legionnaires, auxiliary members, elected officials and many citizens and school staff.  The program was very successful.  I held this chairmanship until 1973 when I became Superintendent of the Vermilion Parish School system.  After thirty-five years, the program is still very active in Vermilion Parish.

In 1948 the supervisor of child welfare and school census became superintendent. I was appointed to replace him and I held the position until 1973 when I was elected superintendent.

As a superintendent with a cooperative board, we were able to make progress in repairing and constructing some needed buildings. We added a new grade to all elementary schools (kindergarten) and a gradual improvement in pay for all teachers and employees.

I began in the Vermilion School system as a classroom teacher and retired forty years later as the superintendent.

I have seen many angles in our educational system and my observations are simple: The people of Vermilion are intelligent and will do much to see to it that their children will have the opportunity to become good citizens and  provide a good living for their families. No one person or idea is the answer; but by working together, much can be achieved for the good of all.

Respectfully submitted,

Eddie Ray Broussard