Boerne ISD Trustee Rich Sena Seeks Fifth Term, Citing Record of Academic and Financial Success
Incumbent Boerne ISD Place 7 Trustee Rich Sena, with a track record of consecutive 'A' ratings and Superior financial integrity, faces challenger Michael Ethridge in the May 2 election, emphasizing experience and advocacy for teacher pay and growth planning.
As Election Day approaches on Saturday, May 2, Boerne ISD Place 7 Trustee Rich Sena is making his closing argument to voters, highlighting a tenure marked by academic excellence and fiscal responsibility. Sena, who has served on the board since 2014 and currently holds the position of Board Vice President, is seeking a fifth term against challenger Michael Ethridge. Early voting concluded on April 28, leaving the outcome to be decided at the polls.
Under Sena's leadership, Boerne ISD has earned an 'A' accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency for six consecutive years and has maintained a Superior rating from the state's Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) every year of his tenure. The district has balanced budgets, preserved the recommended fund balance, and reduced administrative overhead by $1.5 million in the most recent budget cycle. Sena also chaired the Legislative Advocacy Committee, where he testified in Austin in support of a state-funded teacher retention allotment that ultimately passed.
'Providing a strong education for our children is the most important thing a community can do,' Sena said. 'Communities can have beautiful parks and great roads, but they cannot truly thrive without excellent schools.' He pointed to the increase in starting teacher pay from $43,000 to $60,000 during his time on the board as evidence of his advocacy. 'That did not happen by accident. It happened because we made it a priority and we kept showing up in Austin to fight for it.'
With Boerne ISD among the fastest-growing districts in the Texas Hill Country, Sena has emphasized data-driven planning, using professional demographers and long-range committees to guide decisions on facilities, curriculum, and capital needs. He has identified expanding Career and Technical Education offerings as a priority for his next term, along with continued investment in leadership training and professional development. 'Continuous improvement is the standard,' he said. 'The minute a district gets comfortable is the minute it starts falling behind.'
Sena, a first-generation American and owner of a local insurance agency, has a personal stake in the district: both of his children graduated from Boerne ISD after attending for all thirteen years. His daughter now teaches at Comal ISD's Bill Brown Elementary, and his son works in sales. 'Every decision I make as a trustee comes back to one question: are we giving the next generation of Boerne kids the same shot mine got?'
Election Day for the Boerne ISD Board of Trustees Place 7 race is Saturday, May 2, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Polling locations include Boerne City Hall and the City of Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department Public Safety Training Room. For more information, visit www.senaforbisd.com or follow Rich Sena for Boerne ISD on Facebook.