RECAP: Republican State Superintendent Candidates Debate Education Issues in Primary Debate
Six Republican candidates for Oklahoma state superintendent debated education issues in Norman on June 3, highlighting their backgrounds and visions for school reform ahead of the state’s primary elections. Key topics included phonics instruction, parental rights, and assessments, with candidates emphasizing their experience as educators, administrators, or policymakers.
Six Republican candidates for Oklahoma state superintendent participated in a debate on June 3 at the Embassy Suites in Norman, hosted by News 9, News On 6, and NonDoc. The event, titled ‘Education Equation,’ allowed candidates to address key educational issues ahead of the state’s primary elections on June 18. Participants included John Cox, a former Peggs Public Schools superintendent with 40 years in education; Robert Franklin, an associate superintendent at Tulsa Tech with experience in special education and administration; Debra A. Herlihy, a research analyst at Southern Nazarene University who emphasized dyslexia awareness; Toni Hasenbeck, a 20-year teacher and former state representative; James Taylor, a pastor and teacher advocating for parental responsibility in education; and Adam Pugh, a Senate Education Committee leader with a military and entrepreneurial background. The debate highlighted differing visions for Oklahoma schools. Cox proposed infusing phonics statewide from pre-K to 5th grade and reforming assessments, while Franklin stressed the need for a seasoned educator to lead the state’s education system. Herlihy and Hasenbeck focused on academic transformation and teacher support, respectively, with Hasenbeck citing her work with the ‘Great Expectations’ teacher methodology group. Taylor argued that parental responsibility, not schools or government, should drive education, framing his views around biblical principles. Pugh emphasized leading the Department of Education while deferring local school district decisions to school boards. The event also marked the kickoff of the annual conference for the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC), which sponsored the debate. OPSRC aims to drive academic achievement and transformation in Oklahoma’s public schools. The candidates’ opening statements underscored their diverse backgrounds—from classroom teachers to administrators and policymakers—while outlining their priorities for the state’s education system ahead of the primary election.
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