Rebecca Brown, Superintendent, Dickinson ISD

Invest: spoke with Rebecca Brown, superintendent of Dickinson ISD, about enrollment growth, new facilities coming online, and how the district is aligning student pathways with regional workforce needs. “Our region has major assets in healthcare, maritime work, and oil and gas, and we build relationships across those sectors so students can see what careers actually look like,” Brown said.

What has changed most for Dickinson ISD recently, and how are those changes shaping your priorities for 2026?

One of the biggest shifts for Dickinson ISD has been our steady enrollment growth driven by changing demographics across our communities. As a district that spans five cities, we are seeing the fastest growth on the Texas City side, where continued expansion in housing and industry, particularly oil and gas, is bringing more families into our schools. That growth is requiring us to think ahead in new ways when it comes to student capacity, staffing, transportation, and academic programming.

Many of the long-term plans we have worked toward are now becoming reality. Our new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center is nearing completion and is scheduled to open in August, creating expanded opportunities for students to gain workforce certifications, college credit, and hands-on career experience. We are also opening a new elementary school on the Texas City side this August to support our growing student population and better serve families in that area.

Another significant milestone was the successful passage of our voter-approved tax rate increase election in November. We are incredibly grateful for the community’s support, as it provides stronger financial stability and allows us to continue investing in our students, staff, safety, and future growth while maintaining the momentum we are building across Gator Nation.

With continued growth along the I-45 corridor and within Texas City, how are enrollment trends tracking, and how are you planning facilities and staffing to keep up with that?

Growth in Dickinson ISD continues to accelerate, particularly along the Texas City side of the district and the I-45 corridor, where new housing developments and industry expansion are bringing more families into our communities. As enrollment increases, our responsibility is not only to respond to today’s needs, but also to anticipate where our district will be five, 10, and even 15 years from now.

In Texas, public school funding remains a challenge, which makes local support critically important. The successful voter-approved tax rate increase has provided greater flexibility as we continue to grow, helping us support classroom instruction, staffing, safety, and long-range facility planning.

One immediate response to growth is the opening of our new elementary school on the Texas City side this August. We are also evaluating future districtwide needs, particularly at the secondary level. Dickinson ISD currently serves approximately 12,500 students, with nearly 3,800 students attending a single comprehensive high school campus.

As we continue to monitor enrollment trends, we must thoughtfully consider what the future may require, including the possibility of a second high school campus. A project of that magnitude could carry an estimated cost of $400 million to $500 million, so it requires careful forecasting, responsible financial planning, and strong community engagement.

Our focus is making sure we grow strategically while preserving the strong sense of connection, tradition, and community that defines Gator Nation.

What impact do you expect the new career and technical education center to have on student opportunity and regional workforce alignment?

The new Career and Technical Education Center is one of the most significant investments Dickinson ISD has made in the future of our students and our community. Its purpose is to expand opportunities for students while aligning learning with the evolving workforce needs of our region over the next 10 to 20 years.

We are intentionally building programs that reflect both long-term workforce stability and emerging industry demand. Skilled trades such as HVAC, plumbing, welding, and industrial technology remain critically important, especially in a region supported by energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure growth. We are also expanding technology-focused pathways, including cybersecurity and programs that prepare students for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and advanced digital systems.

Healthcare is another major area of focus for Dickinson ISD. We are proud to have been one of the first districts in the country to offer a radiologic technology pathway for high school students, and we continue exploring additional medical and health science opportunities that connect directly to regional workforce needs.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure students graduate with real-world skills, industry certifications, college credit opportunities, and clear pathways to success — whether they choose to enter the workforce immediately, attend a technical program, serve in the military, or pursue higher education. The CTE Center is about giving every student in Gator Nation a purpose, a plan, and a future.

Across Greater Houston, districts are expanding CTE and STEM pathways. How does Dickinson ISD differentiate its programs, and how are local employers involved?

Across Greater Houston, districts are expanding CTE and STEM pathways. How does Dickinson ISD differentiate its programs, and how are local employers involved?

Dickinson ISD’s approach is built around creating a true PK–12 pipeline where STEM learning begins early and continues to grow in depth and purpose as students advance through our schools. We introduce STEM concepts at the elementary level, strengthen those experiences in junior high, and then provide students with multiple opportunities in high school to pursue advanced coursework, industry pathways, and hands-on career preparation connected to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

What differentiates Dickinson ISD is our commitment to pairing rigorous academics with authentic, real-world experiences. We are fortunate to be located in a region with strong industries in healthcare, maritime operations, energy, petrochemicals, manufacturing, and technology. Rather than building programs in isolation, we work closely with local employers, industry leaders, colleges, and community partners to ensure students are learning skills that directly align with workforce needs.

Those partnerships allow students to move beyond the classroom through internships, job-shadowing opportunities, certifications, mentorships, and applied learning experiences. As students progress through our pathways, they gain exposure to real workplaces and professionals, helping them better understand career expectations, refine their interests, and build practical skills before graduation.

Our goal is not simply to offer programs, but to create meaningful pathways that help students discover purpose, graduate with opportunities, and feel prepared for the future — whether that future leads to college, technical training, military service, or immediate entry into the workforce.

How are you balancing career certifications and dual credit programs with preparation for four-year universities, so that students graduate with real options?

At Dickinson ISD, our goal is for every student to graduate with meaningful choices and a clear pathway for their future. That means we are intentionally building both academic readiness and career readiness at the same time, rather than viewing them as separate tracks.

Dual credit opportunities are a major part of that work. We maintain strong partnerships with regional institutions such as the College of the Mainland, Galveston College, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake to expand access to college-level coursework while students are still in high school. We meet with our higher education partners regularly to ensure alignment between district goals, student interests, workforce trends, and college expectations. Throughout the year, we review student pathway data, course demand, and graduation requirements so we can continue offering programs that truly meet the needs of our students.

We also place a strong emphasis on industry-based certifications and workforce preparation. We want students to graduate not only with academic knowledge, but also with credentials and hands-on experiences that hold real value in today’s economy.

Ultimately, success looks different for every student. Some students will pursue four-year universities, others may enter the workforce directly, attend a technical college, or combine college coursework with industry certifications. Our responsibility is to ensure every graduate leaves Dickinson ISD with options, confidence, and a pathway that aligns with their goals and aspirations.

Technology and AI are evolving quickly. What guardrails and investments have you put in place to ensure innovation supports learning while protecting academic integrity?

Technology and artificial intelligence are evolving rapidly, and as a school district, we recognize both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with that change. Dickinson ISD has established an AI workforce and innovation group that meets quarterly to study emerging trends, discuss the impact of AI on instruction, and examine how technology is reshaping future workforce pathways for our students.

We understand that AI is not a temporary trend — it is becoming a permanent part of higher education, business, healthcare, industry, and everyday life. Because of that, our responsibility is to prepare students to use these tools thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively.

Protecting academic integrity also remains a top priority. We are working closely with teachers and administrators to develop clear expectations around responsible AI use, student learning, and authentic work. Our focus is ensuring technology enhances instruction rather than replacing critical thinking, creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills.

School systems do not always move at the same pace as technology companies, but Dickinson ISD is committed to being proactive instead of reactive. We continue to invest in professional learning, instructional supports, digital safety, and future-focused programming so our students are prepared for a world that is changing faster than ever before.

Teacher retention remains a statewide concern. What steps are you taking to attract and retain high-quality educators, especially in specialized fields?

Teacher retention remains one of the most significant challenges facing public education across Texas. Fewer individuals are entering the profession, which means districts must focus not only on recruiting talented educators, but also on creating environments where great teachers want to stay and grow.

At Dickinson ISD, we believe retention starts with investing in people and building strong internal pipelines. One of our priorities is “growing our own” educators whenever possible. Through partnerships with institutions such as the University of Houston–Clear Lake, we are creating pathways for Dickinson students to pursue careers in education and ultimately return to serve the community that helped shape them. That approach strengthens our workforce while building long-term connections between our schools and our families.

We also recognize that culture matters. Dickinson ISD works intentionally to create a supportive, family-centered environment that reflects the spirit of what we call Gator Nation. We want teachers and staff to feel valued, connected, and empowered in their work because strong relationships and positive culture are critical to retaining high-quality educators, especially in specialized and high-demand fields.

Compensation is another important part of the conversation. The successful voter-approved tax rate increase has helped provide greater financial stability and flexibility, allowing us to remain competitive with surrounding districts while continuing to invest in teacher salaries, support systems, and professional growth opportunities.

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure Dickinson ISD is a place where educators feel respected, supported, and inspired to build long-term careers serving students and families.

Looking ahead to the next two to three years, what are your top priorities, and what progress would you like the business community to see from Dickinson ISD?

Looking ahead over the next two to three years, my goal is for the business community to continue seeing Dickinson ISD emerge as one of the strongest and most forward-focused school districts not only in the Houston area, but across the state of Texas. That means continuing to strengthen academic excellence while also preparing students for the realities of an evolving workforce and economy.

Our priorities center on expanding opportunities for every student through advanced academics, AP coursework, dual credit programs, career and technical education pathways, and real-world learning experiences that connect directly to college and career success. We want students to graduate with more than a diploma — we want them to graduate with direction, confidence, and a clear understanding of what comes next.

A major focus moving forward is ensuring our programs remain aligned with regional workforce needs. We actively listen to business leaders, industry partners, colleges, and community stakeholders to better understand where opportunities are growing and how our schools can help prepare the future workforce. That collaboration helps us refine programs, expand pathways, and create experiences that are meaningful for students and valuable for employers.

Ultimately, success for Dickinson ISD means that when students walk across the graduation stage, they are able to clearly articulate their next step — whether that is attending a four-year university, earning an industry certification, entering the workforce, serving in the military, or pursuing technical training. Our responsibility is to begin that planning early, support students along the way, and ensure every graduate leaves Gator Nation prepared to thrive in the future they choose.