At the Dickinson Independent School District board meeting, District Fine Arts Director Dr. Paul Trahan reported sustained growth in student participation across the district’s fine‑arts programs and outlined new partnerships and events for the coming year. Dr. Trahan addressed the board and parents about enrollment trends, awards and program expansions.

Trahan said the district adopted a mission for fine arts: “In Dickinson ISD, our fine arts department fosters a safe and inclusive community for all learners to express themselves artistically while developing problem solving skills, perseverance, compassion, and confidence, becoming creative learners for life.” He described increases in participation across band, choir, dance, theater and visual arts and said the district has expanded staffing to meet the demand.

Trahan gave enrollment highlights he said were based on internal counts: the high school band grew from about 240 students in 2020 to about 312 in 2024 and the districtwide band enrollment now exceeds 1,000 students; choir’s high‑school enrollment rose from about 113 in 2020 to about 157 and choir participation across the district is about 510; the high‑school dance program rose from about 144 to about 197 and the districtwide dance participation is about 592; high‑school theater grew from about 270 to about 303, with nearly 1,000 theater students districtwide; and visual‑arts enrollment has increased substantially, with several full‑time teachers now assigned at the high school.

Trahan cited competitive and recognition milestones: the high school band placed in state marching contests multiple years; district theater programs received exemplary status from the Texas Educational Theater Association; students advanced to state and national art competitions; and the district earned national recognition as a strong community for music education.

He described recent and planned opportunities for students: a student who performed with the National Youth Orchestra and at Carnegie Hall, a junior high band invited to an international conference, a partnership with the Hobby Center that provided free fifth‑grade theater performances, a fine‑arts signing day for students who plan to pursue arts in college, and an art exhibit hosted with a neighboring city’s events center. Trahan also invited board members and community members to the district public events calendar for upcoming performances.

The presentation included brief video material and praise from board members and attendees for the staff and students involved. No formal board action resulted from the presentation; it was provided for information and recognition.