This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Susan Miller, Senior Director of K–12 Consulting at Woolpert and a former school board member in Jefferson County, Colorado.
With a unique background spanning public finance, school board governance, and long-range facilities planning, Susan brings a multi-dimensional perspective to some of the biggest challenges facing K–12 today. From school choice and declining enrollment to fiscal sustainability and aging facilities, she shares why districts must rethink how they plan, operate, and serve their communities.
Rick and Susan also explore the growing pressures on school boards, the evolving role of the superintendent as a CEO-style leader, and the importance of staying focused on student outcomes amid political noise and distractions. If you’re thinking about the future of district leadership, facilities strategy, or how to adapt to enrollment shifts, this conversation offers both clarity and practical insight.
What You’ll Learn
- How school choice is reshaping enrollment patterns across the country
- Why declining birth rates are creating long-term enrollment challenges for districts
- The financial pressure districts face after ESSER funding expired
- Why student attendance trends are becoming a major academic and economic concern
- The importance of board members focusing on fiduciary responsibility and student outcomes
- Common distractions that derail school board discussions from academic priorities
- Why the superintendent role increasingly resembles that of a CEO
- The connection between early literacy, workforce readiness, and economic competitiveness
- What strong fiscal and facilities health looks like for a school district
- Innovative ways districts can repurpose underutilized facilities
Episode Timestamps
03:56 "Challenges of Declining School Enrollment"
10:13 Board Members' Fiduciary Responsibility Overview
11:20 Board Members Must Prioritize Learning
15:11 "Prioritizing Safety, Engagement, and Academics"
18:48 Evolving Role of Superintendents
22:09 Educating Kids Over AI Dependence
26:17 "Data-Driven Education for Careers"
28:58 Balancing Enrollment, Costs, and Programs
34:44 "Addressing Enrollment with Pre-K Expansion"
36:12 Repurposed Schools Build Community Hub
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Special Thanks
To Dr. Miranda Walachowski for bringing both research and real-world experience into the team effectiveness conversation, and for the work she does to help leaders build stronger teams that execute with clarity, trust, and purpose.
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