Parent Outcry Results In Cancellation Of Education Secretary Linda McMahon's Visit To Fairfield School

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Friday visit by Education Secretary Linda McMahon at Fairfield's McKinley Elementary School was canceled by the school district after multiple parents objected, CT Insider reported.

According to Superintendent Michael Testani, the district reportedly heard from several families that they were considering not sending their children to school that day.

Testani made his remarks in a message to families on Wednesday; Patch reached out to a spokesperson for the district to obtain a copy of the statement, but did not immediately receive a reply.

In an earlier message to Patch, the spokesperson said that "the visit has been canceled."

Patch reached out to the education department for comment, and received the following statement from Savannah Newhouse, ED Press Secretary. Newhouse also directed Patch to an article on Breitbart about the cancellation.

"A love of country and celebration of America’s history is not partisan," Newhouse said in the statement. "Engaging young students with fun games and questions like 'When was our nation founded?' and 'Who primarily wrote the Declaration of Independence?' isn’t indoctrination—it’s sparking excitement about the story of freedom and democracy. Those who oppose these truths should appreciate the freedoms they enjoy and benefit from as they are able to protest and gather. If a school considers this partisan, it suggests they’re more influenced by left-wing narratives about the tour than by the truth of the tour itself. History Rocks! is exactly what its name suggests: a nationwide celebration reminding students that history matters—and yes, it rocks."

McMahon, a Greenwich resident, was scheduled to visit the school as part of the U.S. Department of Education's "History Rocks!" tour, which has visited schools in other communities.

A description on the department's website describes the tour:

"The 'History Rocks!' initiative is a key component of the U.S. Department of Education’s America 250 celebrations, coordinated with the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, a national partnership with the America First Policy Institute, Turning Point USA, Hillsdale College, and more than 50 national and state organizations. This coalition is dedicated to advancing civic education and expanding opportunities for students to learn about the ideas, individuals, and events that define the American story."

Read the CT Insider story.