Rich Sena's commitment to public education began generations before he joined the Boerne Independent School District Board of Trustees. His grandparents left Southern Italy for America with one conviction: education was the path forward. Neither of Sena's parents spoke English when they started school, and formal education was something his grandparents never experienced, yet they understood learning would give their descendants opportunity in their new country.
Today, Sena serves as Secretary of the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees and is seeking re-election in the May 2 school board race alongside Board President Kristi Schmidt. He has held his position since 2014, during which the district has grown from 7,200 to more than 11,200 students. "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. "I learned two things from my parents that stand out above all else: always be grateful, and always give back to the nation and community that has given us so much opportunity."
This story matters because it demonstrates how personal immigrant narratives continue to shape educational leadership in rapidly growing communities. Sena's perspective is particularly relevant as Texas school districts face challenges balancing growth with educational quality. His family's experience represents millions of American stories where education served as the primary vehicle for social mobility and community integration.
For Sena, this commitment is personal in the most literal sense. His children attended Boerne ISD schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, his daughter still lives in the community, and his grandchildren will soon begin their education in the same classrooms. "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," he said. "No amount of time dedicated to this volunteer position is adequate to support them in achieving their dreams."
The implications of this leadership approach are visible in district outcomes. Under the current board's leadership, Boerne ISD has maintained its top A-rating from the Texas Education Agency every year since the accountability system was established, a distinction shared by only 31 of the more than 1,200 districts statewide. The district is the only medium-large district in the San Antonio area to hold that status. Its students graduate at a 95 percent rate of readiness for college, career, or military service, well above the state average of 82 percent.
These results have significance for families considering relocation to the area, as school quality often drives residential decisions and property values. Sena points to these achievements not as personal accomplishments but as evidence that the community's investment in its schools is working. "It starts with a supportive community, people that believe in the value of education. We have that here in Boerne," he said. "Standards are not what we state. They're what we accept."
Managing growth while preserving traditions has been one of the board's central challenges. When Sena's oldest child started at Fabra Elementary in 1992, the district enrolled roughly 3,200 students. It has nearly quadrupled since. Maintaining programs like the Homecoming Parade, the Boerne Outdoor Academy, and close-knit campus communities during this expansion requires careful planning and resource allocation.
Sena's community involvement extends beyond the boardroom. He has served as President of the Boerne Sunrise Rotary, as a Sunday School teacher at Currey Creek Church, as a board member of the Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center, and as a conservative columnist for the Boerne Star. He has led civic organizations and volunteered across the Hill Country for more than three decades. Yet public education remains his deepest commitment. "A community can have beautiful parks and great roads, but it cannot truly thrive unless it has strong public schools preparing the next generation," Sena said. "Public education is the great equalizer."
Early voting for the May 2 election begins April 20 at locations including the Fair Oaks Ranch City Police Department headquarters and the Kendall County Annex across from Boerne High School. Additional information about Sena's campaign is available at https://www.senaforbisd.com/.
