The District Chief Administrators Association (DCAA), comprised of the San Francisco New Orleans District Lasallian schools presidents and principals, meets semi-annually to discuss the progress of Lasallian schools and to encourage district-wide initiatives in support of the Lasallian mission.

DCAA holds a very important place in the Lasallian community across the United States.

This year, DCAA gathered at Saint Paul’s School for the first time in more than a decade. The DCAA generously decided to meet in Covington to honor Brother Raymond Builliard, F.S.C., and the impact he had on the association. This decision was a great way to value his legacy by gathering in the city that Brother Ray relished the most.

Brother Ray was the Dean of the DCAA, which means he was the longest-serving member of the association. The Saint Paul’s community was impacted significantly after he unexpectedly passed away in April.

On September 19, 2023, Saint Paul’s school welcomed the DCAA by hosting a prayer service honoring Brother Ray. The Saint Paul students sang many songs powerfully to show the passion and brotherhoods that are built among the Saint Paul’s community.

Many years ago, the DCAA was flabbergasted when the members heard Saint Paul’s students sing, and members still to this day remark on how vocal and amazing their singing was. Accordingly, Saint Paul’s administration and students made strong singing a priority once again.

When President Trevor Watkins was inquired with the DCAA’s impression on Saint Paul’s, he was very enthusiastic to respond. “The DCAA group was most impressed by our campus and especially by our students. When we returned to our meetings after the tour, they could not stop talking about what they had seen and experienced here.”

Saint Paul’s school also hosted a dinner for the DCCA members, which they attended after their tour of the campus. Many Saint Paul’s students volunteered to serve the presidents and principals their food and allow them to visualize the maturity and service of Saint Paul’s students.

Lasallian education focuses on Catholic values, faith formation, and personal relationships while striving to enrich each student’s social, physical, and spiritual development. Lasallians follow the morals of Saint John Baptist De La Salle and are part of a strong spiritual community.

The Lasallian mission is taught in 80 countries with 4,000 brothers and 90,000 partners all of whom help serve over one million students in 1,000 ministries.

Mrs. Rachel Peak has worked alongside Brother Ray for the past 12 years. She attended the DCAA conference and had only positive results to share. “It was an honor to be asked to serve on a panel for the DCAA conference celebrating Brother Ray’s impact at Saint Paul’s. While studying at the Buttimer Institute for Lasallian Studies, I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for how closely Brother Ray emulated Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s life and legacy. Brother Ray truly lived out the mission of our Lasallian schools in everything that he did.”

Saint Paul’s School sends their generosity to all of the DCAA members for recognizing Brother Ray and his teachings that he left with us.