Claudette Herald officially began her tenure as Oldham County superintendent on July 1. Photo courtesy Claudette Herald
(LA GRANGE, KY) – With more than two decades of experience in education, Claudette Herald has officially stepped into her role as superintendent of Oldham County Schools, bringing with her a track record of student-focused leadership and a passion for community engagement.
Herald’s journey to the superintendent’s office began in the classroom. After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky, she began teaching in Nicholas County before moving on to Grant County High School. Over her 23-year career, she has served in a range of roles including assistant principal, principal, director of pupil personnel and Safe Schools coordinator, and most recently, deputy superintendent in Grant County.
Herald said her aspiration to become a superintendent started when she served as a high school principal.
“That was probably the most rewarding job I had, as a high school principal,” she said. “You get to spend all day with young adults. I loved making connections with students and advocating for them.”
Her passion for leadership was a key motivator as she advanced through district-level positions. She emphasized that her leadership style was shaped by formative roles that gave her a front-row seat to the challenges students face, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was (the director of pupil personnel) during the time of COVID and I worked with our district health coordinator to reduce barriers to get students back into school,” said Herald.
She said her work included helping students that were in foster care and students that were identified as homeless. In this role, she said her job was centered around identifying issues the students had and how she could make sure they received the best education possible.
When it came to choosing where to take the next step in her career, Oldham County stood out. Herald said she was drawn to the district’s reputation for academic excellence and competitive athletic programs.
“Oldham has an elite status … I knew that I wanted to be a part of a district that was already doing great things,” she said.
Herald said she is working closely with her administrative team to review current policies, evaluate school climate data and identify opportunities for improvement in equity. She also plans to amplify student access to mental health resources and extracurricular activities.
Herald currently sits on the Kentucky High School Athletic Association’s (KHSAA’s) Board of Control, which oversees KHSAA governance, including policy and strategic planning for high school athletics across Kentucky.
As a board director and executive committee member, she contributes to state-wide decisions on eligibility standards, championships and athletic regulations.
Herald is already taking steps to build relationships within the community.
“The first day of school, I want to be in the schools,” she said. “Having a physical presence in our school buildings is a must for me.”
Herald participated in a district learning day in June, where she said she was able to meet principals, assistant principals and district-level directors.
She also plans to establish a weekly school visit rotation, meet regularly with principals and building-level teams, and connect with district directors. Developing relationships with the Kentucky Board of Education and forming student advisory groups are among her top priorities. She said the outcome is her motivation to keep pushing along.
“There are tough decisions to make in education but the why in this business is obviously student success,” Herald said.
Herald said her long-term vision includes continuing Oldham County’s tradition of excellence while addressing areas for growth. This includes improving achievement gaps, strengthening community partnerships and supporting teacher recruitment and retention. As she steps into this new role, she said she’s focused on honoring Oldham County’s legacy while continuing to raise the bar for student achievement.
Leave A Comment