The belief that education provides opportunity, carried by immigrants from a small Southern Italian village, now drives Rich Sena's service on the Boerne Independent School District Board of Trustees, where he is seeking re-election. Sena's grandparents, who had no formal schooling themselves, instilled the conviction that learning was essential for advancement in America, a principle that guides his volunteer role. "My grandparents, despite their lack of formal education, were constantly stressing the value of education and learning because that was the meal ticket to get ahead in our great nation," Sena said, adding that his parents taught him to always give back to the community.
Elected in 2014, Sena has served during a period of substantial expansion, with district enrollment growing from 7,200 to over 11,200 students. His personal connection to the schools is deep; his children attended Boerne ISD from kindergarten through graduation, his daughter remains in the community, and his grandchildren will soon start their education in the same system. "I feel as my fellow trustees feel - that I have 11,200 children, because that's the number of kids in our district and I care about their future," Sena stated, emphasizing the volunteer commitment required to support student dreams.
Under the current board's leadership, which includes President Kristi Schmidt, Boerne ISD has consistently earned an A-rating from the Texas Education Agency since the accountability system began, a status held by only 31 of Texas's more than 1,200 districts. The district is the only medium-large district in the San Antonio area with this distinction, graduating 95 percent of students prepared for college, career, or military service, significantly above the state average of 82 percent. Sena credits these outcomes to strong community support, noting, "It starts with a supportive community, people that believe in the value of education. We have that here in Boerne."
Managing rapid growth while preserving district traditions has been a key focus. Enrollment has nearly quadrupled since Sena's oldest child started at Fabra Elementary in 1992, when the district had roughly 3,200 students. Maintaining cultural elements like the Homecoming Parade, Boerne Outdoor Academy, and close-knit campus communities during this expansion has required careful stewardship. Sena's broader community involvement includes roles as President of the Boerne Sunrise Rotary, a Sunday School teacher at Currey Creek Church, a board member of the Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center, and a conservative columnist for the Boerne Star, reflecting his dedication to service beyond the boardroom.
Sena views public education as fundamental to community vitality, stating, "A community can have beautiful parks and great roads, but it cannot truly thrive unless it has strong public schools preparing the next generation. Public education is the great equalizer." His campaign emphasizes this philosophy, with details available at https://www.senaforbisd.com/. The election is scheduled for May 2, where voters will decide on his continued role in guiding a district that balances growth with academic excellence and community values.
