Board of Trustees

Matt Seidenberger and his wife, Lorena, moved to Fredericksburg in 2002 after deciding this type of small town was where they’d like to raise a family. They have two boys currently in school in Gillespie County – FHS Class of 2023 and 2030. Seidenberger earned both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Agribusiness from Texas A&M and has worked at Arrowhead Bank since moving to the hill country in 2000.

Mr. Seidenberger’s philosophy of service is that good people with common sense, hearts directed towards the mission, and a willingness to serve must take their turns if communities & their organizations are to be successful. This philosophy is evident in his history of serving across various civic, religious, and youth activities in Gillespie County, and it was a driving reason behind his decision to run for FISD School Board Trustee.

He strongly believes that Fredericksburg ISD should provide children an educational foundation as early as possible, as learning in the earliest grades provides the building blocks for growth as they age & mature. This educational foundation, combined with participation and success in extra-curricular activities throughout their time here, will help provide children with the tools to move into whatever awaits them after graduating from FISD schools.

Seidenberger’s hope is to help provide the governance and oversight of what should be a healthy, inclusive, and enriching school district for children, teachers, staff, and the rest of all stakeholders in Gillespie County.

Brian and his wife, Shawn, reside in Fredericksburg.  His oldest two children graduated from FISD in 2008 and 2010, and his youngest will graduate in 2023.   

Brian was born in Midland, Texas, and moved to Fredericksburg in 1999 to join his family.  He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Science from Texas A&M University in 1987.  He owns Lehne Construction and has been in business for 30+ years focusing on Architectural, Structural, and Civil Construction.

He has a deep civic commitment to the youth in our community and state, best shown in his present and past involvement in the Fredericksburg ISD Education Foundation as a board member, our local 4-H and FFA Chapter as a mentor and a member of the Agricultural Advisory Board, Gillespie County’s Livestock Show Board, the Gillespie County Wild Game Dinner, and the Hill District Grandstand Youth Livestock Show Board. In addition, as a 14-year board member for the Lone Star Cattlemen Foundation, he dedicates his time to continually looking for new ways to bring financial support to our youth.  To date, LSC has spent over $2M and purchased over 1,000 FFA and 4-H projects, helping countless students as they pursue their dreams of higher education. A record-setting civic commitment has been Rodeo Austin.  Lehne has gone from a Committee Chair aiding in setting record Youth Auctions to the Board of Directors and served as President of the organization.  Through this involvement, he aided the organization in giving back a record $2.5 million annually to youth from all walks of life.  His philanthropy focuses on supporting education and understanding that our community’s best resource is our youth.

As a school board member, he focuses on preparing our youth for the real world after completing their high school education.  “It is important to promote self-reliant, self-starting, hard-working youth who are employable.  We need to ensure our classrooms produce this type of citizen for our community’s future.  We need to ensure that we focus on quality teacher retention, broad classroom options for our students, career & technical (vocational) opportunities, good facilities, and parental involvement.  Our youth, above all, are our greatest achievements.  As a school board member, I listen.  I feel this is one of the most important things that I can bring to the table.  Listening is crucial to building a strong team and maintaining a positive environment.”

My passion has always been working with students. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in English in 1980, I began my teaching career with two years at Round Rock ISD, followed by four years at Gregory-Portland ISD. In 1986, we moved to Fredericksburg, where I began teaching at the high school in 1987. Both of my children attended and graduated from Fredericksburg High School, and I was blessed to be able to teach both of them. I was named FISD Teacher of the Year in 2014, which was my 27^th year at high school.

Although I retired to run my bed and breakfast ranch, my passion for schools did not retire with me. I ran for school board in 2015 and have been serving since then. I love being a voice for our teachers and enjoy mentoring students and volunteering in the community. Fredericksburg ISD is blessed to have a great team of leaders on every campus, at central office, and on the school board. We are also blessed to have a community that supports our schools. I am proud to serve our district and am committed to making sure that our schools have the resources needed to help our students be prepared for our diverse and changing world.

Raising our family in Gillespie County has been a great experience.  It is the community my wife, Kristen, and I were born and raised in and were supported by.  Now we enjoy being a part of it as a family.  Kristen and I have two young boys.  I enjoy helping with 4-H and FFA youth auctions as a buyer and serving on the board of an organization that works to keep kids safe.  I believe a great education is a powerful tool for them in that process.  Students, parents, teachers, retired teachers, administrators, and taxpayers all need their interests protected by a board that knows how to lead.  I take time to listen.  I care.  I find value in working together with local people and local government. 

Keri J. Hensley is committed to the Fredericksburg community, especially the children and schools. She and her husband, Jason, reside in Fredericksburg along with their three children; two of whom attend Fredericksburg Elementary and their youngest will start Kindergarten at Fredericksburg Primary in the fall of 2023.

Keri was raised in Miles, Texas, where her mother was an elementary teacher at Miles ISD for 30 years and still serves an active role as a part of the Texas Retired Teachers Association. After high school, Keri attended Texas A&M University where she was a leader in multiple student organizations, graduating in 2006. 

She is proud to call Fredericksburg home and will work tirelessly to ensure our youth have every opportunity to succeed in school and the world beyond.  She will employ the many skills and learning gained from experiences in both the professional and non-profit worlds to find effective solutions to the challenges facing our schools.

She will advocate for the hardworking teachers, staff and administrators who share the goal of strengthening our youth so that they will be ready to and capable of rising to meet any challenge. 

Taylor Ward and his wife, Casie, have spent most of their lives as Fredericksburg residents. After growing up here, they moved back seven years ago to be closer to family and raise their children. Beckett is a second grader at Fredericksburg Elementary School, Collins is a Kindergartener at Fredericksburg Primary School and Wells attends Bethany Preschool. Taylor and Casie are both 2005 Fredericksburg ISD graduates.

He dedicates time to the Fredericksburg Education Alliance, which lobbies to reduce recaptured local tax dollars to keep for use within FISD. Not only is he committed to being a part of the community, he has also given his time and energy to several fundraising events that have benefited the community. This includes events such as Ducks Unlimited, Believe in Brady and, most recently, helping start a fundraising event where a group of local men raise money for charities in town. 

As a resident of Fredericksburg and a father, he wants what is best for not only his children but all the youth of the entire community. With a servant’s heart, he is dedicated to committing his time and energy to what is currently happening but also looking ahead to the future.