Welcome to a new school year. We are off to a great start with 963 students. We ended last year with 866, meaning that we have had a 97-student gain. Though last year we had an unusually small senior class, the clear trend is up. Our attrition rates are down, and the numbers seeking a Christian Brothers’ education increases at a steady pace. The Lasallian education, which we offer to a wide range of students, both in terms of abilities and backgrounds, is in great demand.

Some of you have approached me about the issue of air conditioning for the classrooms. We have spent the better part of the summer studying our plant, discussing our needs, and examining our options. We are putting together both a Campus Long-Range Master Plan and a Major Maintenance Plan. I assure you that air conditioning has been and will continue to be considered as a major need.

However, the increased demand and the growth in the size of our student body is forcing the issue of the need for more classroom space and for expanded science laboratories. We must find a way to house the students who attend Christian Brothers as we move toward our optimum student body size.

One of the options being considered right now is the construction of a new classroom wing that would be dedicated to Life Sciences and Mathematics. At the same time, consideration is being given to air conditioning the existing classrooms. To do any of this, we will need to bring an additional two thousand amp electrical service onto the campus to support the existing sixteen hundred amp service.

These are exciting times for Christian Brothers High School. We will keep you informed as we proceed with both the Long-Range Master Plan and the Five-Year Major Maintenance Plan. Keep the faith. Cooler weather is ahead of us.