Political newcomer Debra Herlihy running for Oklahoma superintendent to help education system

Editor’s note: This is the fifth of a series of profiles on the seven Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination for state superintendent. Profiles will run in alphabetical order.

Debra Herlihy has never run for elected office before. The 55 year old from Yukon described herself as a member of the general public who “just wants to help our education system.”

Now, she’s one of seven Republican candidates running for state superintendent, Oklahoma’s top education officer who leads the state Department of Education and state Board of Education.

Joining her on the June 16 primary ballot are Peggs Public Schools Superintendent John Cox, William Crozier, former school district and CareerTech administrator Robert Franklin, state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, state Sen. Adam Pugh and high school teacher James Taylor.

Former Tulsa Board of Education member Jennettie Marshall and retired El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay are seeking the Democratic nomination.

Herlihy reports statistical information for Southern Nazarene University, such as the college’s enrollment numbers and retention rates, as a senior research analyst.

She said she’d like to see public schools do more to broaden children’s creativity. She suggested schools design their lessons based on STREAM — science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math. Districts also should apply artificial intelligence-based learning programs and encourage virtual classwork, she said.

Families having school choice options is “great,” Herlihy said, but “I think also we’re going to leave behind public instruction” if the state focuses too much on tax incentives for private schools.

She also objected to allowing LGBTQ+ pride flags in public schools and permitting students to use “personal pronouns” that don’t match their biological sex.

“From my personal opinion, I think that’s very distracting,” Herlihy said. “The only flag we need is (the) American flag. Personal pronouns don’t need to be used.”