Brookline Public Schools Announce Death of Former Superintendent

BROOKLINE—A long beloved figure of Brookline's community has died. Former Brookline Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Sperber passed away peacefully on Dec. 21. Sperber served as the superintendent from 1964-1982, and ushered in new programs like Holocaust education, School within School, and the Brookline Education Foundation.

The Public Schools of Brookline (PSB) released a statement saying, "As Superintendent, Dr. Sperber led the development of and introduced vital programs that still benefit our community today including the Brookline Early Education Program (BEEP) and Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO). His career in education as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and university professor spanned more than 50 years."

Sperber started his career as a third, fifth, and eight grade teacher in New York. He led desegregation efforts of teaching staff in the Pittsburg public schools in 1961, and instituted policies that would hire and recruit black teachers.

Sperber had a doctorate and masters from Teachers College, Columbia University, and served on the Economic Development Advisory, Senior Center, and Brookline Teen Center boards, along with others.

After leaving the PSB, Sperber was a professor at Boston University for two decades, and helped implement programs for various school systems, that helped low-income students attend high-performing schools. He was the husband of the late Edith Winter Sperber for 54 years, and leaves behind several children and grandchildren.

Services will held on Friday, Dec. 23 at Temple Israel, 477 Longwood Avenue, Boston, at 10 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Robert I. Sperber Scholarship Fund at Brookline High School and the Brookline Teen Center.

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