Boerne ISD Trustee Sena Touts $85M Savings, P-TECH Success in Re-Election Bid

In a compelling interview on the Vote Like a Texan platform, Boerne ISD School Board trustee Rich Sena detailed his re-election campaign, emphasizing his deep commitment to the district's 11,200 students and his record of fiscal stewardship and educational innovation. Sena, a first-generation American and passionate advocate for public education, highlighted his institutional knowledge from serving multiple terms and working with three superintendents, framing his volunteer role as the "honor of a lifetime." The district itself is a standout, being an A-rated district—one of only 31 in Texas to consistently achieve this top rating and the only one in the San Antonio area with over 1,000 students—a status attributed to strong community support, governance, and staff development.

Sena's tenure has been marked by significant initiatives, most notably the implementation of the P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program, which allows students to graduate high school with an associate's degree, saving families thousands in college costs. Financially, he pointed to over $85 million in taxpayer savings achieved through proactive bond refinancing, early debt payoff, and interest reductions, with recent 2022 bond projects coming in under budget. He also championed the successful elimination of the Robin Hood tax, which had diverted over $120 million from Boerne ISD to the state, ensuring local tax dollars now stay within the community. Despite receiving $3,000 less per student than the state average, Sena advocates for teachers through retention allotments and competitive wages, and the district maintains a focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and a College, Career, Military Ready (CCMR) rate of 95%, well above the state average.

Looking ahead, Sena anticipates manageable growth for Boerne ISD, aiming to integrate newcomers while preserving the district's unique culture and continuing to expand academic options. The full interview, titled "Boerne ISD Cut $85M in Tax Costs - Here's How They Did It," is available on the Vote Like a Texan YouTube Channel, offering voters deeper insights into his platform and the district's achievements. This coverage underscores the critical role of informed civic engagement, as platforms like Vote Like a Texan provide nonpartisan resources to empower Texas voters with clear, accessible information on local races and issues.