In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Max Rombado, Legislative Director at Raise Your Hand Texas. A proud Houstonian and Springwoods High alum, Max brings deep experience navigating the Capitol and advocating for policies that strengthen public education across the state.

From landmark teacher pay raises to the controversial expansion of school choice, Max unpacks what the latest legislative session means for educators, families, and communities. With clarity and candor, he breaks down the complexity of HB2 and HB8, and shares why the fight for public education funding is far from over.

Whether you’re a district leader, teacher, or policymaker, this episode offers insider perspective on the forces shaping Texas classrooms—and what’s at stake in the years ahead.

What You’ll Learn

● The key provisions of HB2 and what teacher retention and incentive allotments mean for salaries statewide

● Why timing and inflation complicate district budgeting despite new funding

● The creation of the ABC (Allotment for Basic Costs) and its impact on school operations

● Teacher certification challenges—and how new rules could reshape the workforce

● How HB8 reforms accountability, testing, and the STAAR system

● What Texas’ first school choice bill (SB2) means for families, districts, and the future of public education

● Why funding gaps still leave Texas far from national averages, and what it will take to catch up

Episode Timestamps

00:42 Meet Max Rombado, Raise Your Hand Texas

02:01 Legislative priorities: school funding, accountability, and choice

03:48 Teacher retention allotment explained

05:37 How much funding is allocated for teacher pay raises

07:26 The ABC allotment: covering operational costs

11:45 Inflation and the limits of new funding

13:29 Teacher certification challenges and incentives

14:58 The new three-test system: STAAR to Student Success Tool

18:21 School choice in Texas: SB2 and its implications

21:01 Private schools, charters, and shifting dynamics

22:32 Advocacy and getting involved with Raise Your Hand Texas

Connect with Us
● Host’s LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/)

Special Thanks
To Max Rombado and the Raise Your Hand Texas team for their commitment to strengthening public education and advocating for teachers, students, and communities statewide.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Russ Johnson, CEO of Tessera Technology Group and Trustee at Lorena ISD. With over 30 years in education and leadership, Russ shares how districts can strengthen school safety, sustain superintendents, and prepare students for meaningful careers—while keeping community and care at the center.

From balancing technology and trust to supporting leaders under pressure, this episode explores what it takes to lead through change and protect what matters most in public education.

What You’ll Learn

• Why school safety starts with people, not just products

• How districts can move from reaction to prevention after crises

• The rising stress on Texas superintendents and how boards can help

• Why leadership wellness should be part of every district’s accountability

• How smaller districts can create workforce pathways through partnerships

• The link between community trust, school culture, and strong leadership

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to Solve for X — “Risk it to get that biscuit”
01:17 Meet Russ Johnson, CEO of Tessera Technology Group and Lorena ISD Trustee
02:10 What Tessera solves for: building safety through collaboration
03:20 The three pillars of school safety—facilities, tech, and the human factor
05:10 Avoiding reactionary decisions: the “pendulum effect” after tragedy
07:00 Balancing security and culture: keeping schools welcoming
09:10 Superintendent wellness and why it’s often overlooked
11:45 The politics of leadership—pay, pressure, and sustainability
14:20 Preparing students for the workforce through innovation and partnerships
20:00 Closing reflections—why educator voices must stay loud and united

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Special Thanks

To Russ Johnson and the Tessera Technology Group team for their work advancing safer schools, stronger leadership, and sustainable education in Texas.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.
Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Jonathan Wachtel, Co-Founder of OurCo. With a background spanning journalism, diplomacy, and public affairs, Jonathan shares how OurCo helps districts move beyond one-off surveys to ongoing, moderated community engagement—so leaders can take the pulse before big decisions, not after the backlash.

From sentiment tools and push notifications to anonymous input and district-level branding, Jonathan explains how superintendents, boards, and school teams can use real-time feedback to build trust, reduce crisis noise, and make faster, smarter calls.

What You’ll Learn

• Why continuous engagement beats sporadic surveys for decision-making

• How moderation tools keep discourse productive (not performative)

• Ways districts use OurCo for pay systems, wraparound services, and student voice

• How real-time polling informs board meetings and crisis comms

• Branding, privacy, and anonymity: building trust while getting honest input

• Using OurCo to market your district amid school choice and consolidation pressures

• Cost and time advantages vs. traditional survey consultants

• How nonprofits and statewide orgs can align far-flung members quickly

Episode Timestamps

00:00 Cold open & welcome to Solve for X
00:51 Meet Jonathan Wachtel + why the name “OurCo”
02:16 What OurCo solves: social + sentiment for real-time decisions
03:21 Use cases: HISD, wraparound services, and student voice
04:53 Moderation & controls: keeping engagement constructive
06:44 From journalism to K-12: avoiding scandals with proactive comms
09:23 What’s different about OurCo: engagement loop + live dashboards
12:36 Competing for families: branding, outreach, and community consensus
14:56 Trust & privacy: data ownership, options for anonymous input
19:26 Getting started: customization, pricing value, and broader use cases

Connect with Us
Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Special Thanks
To Jonathan Wachtel and the OurCo team for helping education leaders listen first, decide wisely, and build durable community trust.

Stay Connected
Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.
Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes David Sturtz, K12 Program Director at Woolpert. With a career spanning classroom teaching, educational services, and large-scale capital planning, David brings a rare perspective: he’s seen firsthand what students need one-on-one, and how district-level decisions can either expand or limit those opportunities.

From tutoring kids in their living rooms to advising districts facing multimillion-dollar facility decisions, David’s journey reflects both passion and pragmatism. In this conversation, he shares the hard truths about declining enrollment, the hidden costs of spreading resources too thin, and why equity in practice—not just in theory—should drive every major district decision.

Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or community leader, this episode challenges assumptions and offers a blueprint for sustainable, student-centered planning.

What You’ll Learn

• How David’s unusual path from tutoring and missionary teaching led to K12 facilities planning

  
  

• The demographic and economic forces driving school consolidation nationwide

  
  

• Why predictable quality—not flashy programs—is the key to community trust

  
  

• How districts can avoid common pitfalls when tackling consolidation and bond programs

  
  

• Case studies from Texas, North Dakota, and beyond that highlight innovative facility solutions

  
  

• The difference between equity as a buzzword and equity as a measurable, actionable plan

  
  

• Why community engagement must go beyond “fear management” to true co-creation

  
  

• How to choose the right partner for strategic facility planning—and avoid costly missteps

Episode Timestamps

02:16 Assess, Plan, Design, Build: Woolpert’s Full Lifecycle Approach

03:30 From Tutoring Startup to Facilities Planning

07:16 The National Challenge of Declining Enrollment

11:49 The Biggest Mistakes Districts Make in Consolidation

13:53 Predictable Quality Over Flashy Programs

17:14 Equity in Practice: Lessons from Arlington ISD

21:06 Why Shared Career Tech Centers Beat “Mini Programs”

Connect with Us

• Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group

Special Thanks

To David Sturtz and the Woolpert team for their commitment to helping districts navigate complex challenges with clarity, strategy, and a deep focus on student success.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration. Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.

In the premiere episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Navy Counselor First Class Petty Officer Brenda Robinson—a dynamic leader, first-generation service member, and career recruiter. From a spontaneous visit to a Navy office during high school to managing critical electrical systems aboard an aircraft carrier, Brenda shares her unconventional path into the military. Her story unfolds with humor, heart, and a clear-eyed look at what it takes to thrive in a high-stakes, high-opportunity environment like the U.S. Navy.

This conversation goes beyond uniforms and ranks. Brenda opens up about advancing through the enlisted ranks, navigating leadership as a young Latina, balancing dual military life with family, and charting a future in healthcare—all while earning her degrees with Navy support. Whether you’re curious about military life, passionate about career development, or simply love a story of resilience and reinvention, this episode delivers insight, inspiration, and a few surprises along the way.

What You'll Learn

• How Brenda accidentally walked into her Navy career—and never looked back

• The truth about Navy boot camp (Hint: It's not like the movies)

• How the Navy fosters leadership and career advancement, from E1 to E6 and beyond

• The surprising overlap between shipboard electrical systems and civilian trades

• Why military service can be a springboard to careers in STEM, healthcare, and beyond

• The role of women and Latinas in reshaping the face of the armed forces

• What it’s like to be dual military and how the Navy supports family life

• How duty stations get assigned (including how to land in sunny San Diego or Japan!)

Time Stamps

03:31 "Unexpected Challenges of Boot Camp"

07:40 Path to E5 Advancement

10:18 Rapid Advancement in Navy Ranks

14:18 Aircraft Carrier Work Center Specialties

17:01 Navy Skills: Versatile Career Paths

19:04 Versatile Skills for Employment

25:06 "Finding Your Local Navy Recruiter"

25:52 Tribute to Armed Forces

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/

Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group

Special Thanks

To Brenda Robinson and all service members for their dedication, service, and continued pursuit of excellence—on and off duty.

Stay Connected

Follow, like, and subscribe to Solve for X for more stories where curiosity meets collaboration.
Until next time—keep asking the right questions, and keep solving for X.