Education Secretary Linda McMahon visits Seymour school amid controversy

SEYMOUR, Conn. (WFSB) - U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon returned to her home state Friday, visiting Seymour Middle School as part of a national tour, but the appearance drew criticism from some who question the administration’s education policies.

The visit was part of the Department of Education’s History Rocks tour, which highlights civics and America’s 250th anniversary. The event featured a pep rally atmosphere with middle schoolers answering questions about Connecticut and its role in the American Revolution.

“It’s really fun, and for the 250th celebration of our country, to bring civics back to states and focus on a really incredible program. I’m really happy to do it,” McMahon said.

The Seymour appearance marked the tour’s 49th stop across the country and its first in Connecticut after two planned events with McMahon were canceled earlier this year in Fairfield and Thomaston.

Critics have argued the Trump administration is tasking McMahon with eliminating the Department of Education while trying to whitewash parts of U.S. history.

The Seymour Democratic Town Committee posted on Facebook that McMahon’s school visits raise serious questions.

“Her school visits raise serious questions, as she has been relentlessly defending, even this week, the dismantling of public education and pushing for privatizing schools, things that will hurt us, not help us, here in Seymour,” the committee wrote.

Josh James, a Democrat running for state representative, also posted concerns on Facebook about the visit.

“Concerns are valid surrounding the visit and Secretary McMahon’s support for dismantling the federal role in public education, especially when federal programs support students with disabilities, low-income families and districts that already struggle with funding,” James wrote.

McMahon addressed the criticism, saying there is misperception about the programs.

“I think there’s a lot of misperception about what the programs might be. This is really about our country and state-specific questions,” McMahon said.

She added that the president’s role is to reduce bureaucracy in education and return control to the states.

“The president’s role is to get the bureaucracy out of education and return it to the states, where the best success can be found to educate their students,” McMahon said.

McMahon also said that when federal funding is involved and programs are not in accordance with what the administration believes, those programs need to change.

“Certainly states have the rights to do things important for them and their schools, but when federal funding is involved and the programs are not in accordance with what the administration believes for federal funding, then we look to those programs to say they need to change,” McMahon said.

Seymour Superintendent Dr. Susan Compton said welcoming the secretary was a chance to highlight public schools while stressing a continued need for federal dollars.

“Why did I want to host this or be a participant? To really emphasize the importance of federal funding,” Compton said.

Earlier this year, parents and teachers in Fairfield and Thomaston pushed back on planned visits in those towns, and those appearances were called off.

In addition to meeting with students Friday, McMahon sat down with local superintendents and elected officials.

Seymour Middle School Principal Keith O’Rourke said the visit highlighted what makes America unique.

“Look around, everyone in this room. That’s what our country looks like. We’re people of different races and creeds, colors and religions. That’s what makes America unique,” O’Rourke said.

The History Rocks tour focuses on moments that shaped the founding of America as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday.