The Boerne Independent School District has maintained its top A-rating from the Texas Education Agency every year since the state's accountability system was established, placing it among only 31 of Texas's more than 1,200 districts to achieve this consistent distinction. BISD stands as the only medium-large district in the greater San Antonio area with this perfect record. Board Secretary Rich Sena, who is running for re-election in the May 2 school board race, attributed the sustained excellence to a community-wide commitment to high standards across all 13 campuses.
The district's academic achievements become more remarkable when considering the financial constraints under which they operate. Boerne ISD receives approximately $3,000 less per student than the average Texas school district under state funding formulas, placing it well below peer districts in per-pupil spending. The district spends roughly $10,000 per student compared to local private schools that charge between $18,000 and $30,000. Despite this funding gap, BISD graduates students at a 95 percent rate of College, Career, or Military Readiness, far above the state average of 82 percent.
"We have to be efficient, and we're used to doing more with less," Sena said. The district's administration identified $1.5 million in efficiencies and reductions in central office and administrative overhead, redirecting those funds directly to classroom support. The district outperforms neighboring competitors including Alamo Heights, Dripping Springs, and Lake Travis while serving a student population with higher rates of poverty than those districts.
The A-rating has persisted even as the district has managed significant enrollment growth, expanding from 7,200 students when Sena joined the board in 2014 to more than 11,200 students currently. Maintaining academic quality through this expansion required deliberate investment in teachers and campus leadership. The board has earned the Texas Financial Integrity Rating System's Superior rating for 15 consecutive years, even as nearly 60 percent of districts statewide now face budget shortfalls.
Sena testified before the Texas Senate Education Committee in support of the teacher retention allotment, which secured raises of up to $5,000 for educators across the state. Locally, a successful voter initiative last November raised starting wages for hourly district workers to $15 per hour and provided incremental raises for teachers. Sena is running for re-election alongside Board President Kristi Schmidt, who holds Place 6, with both seeking to continue their service on a platform of academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and preserving community values. For more information about the campaign, visit https://www.senaforbisd.com/.
