Secretary McMahon tours Crook County schools as part of nationwide education tour
CROOK COUNTY, Ore. (KTVZ) — U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Crook County High School and Crooked River Elementary School in Prineville on Monday, marking the first time a sitting Secretary of Education has visited the county. The visit was part of her 50-state "Returning Education to the States" tour and was facilitated by U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz and Crook County Commissioner Seth Crawford.
Congressman Bentz's Oregon office staff coordinated the visit to Oregon's Second Congressional District, as Bentz was unable to attend due to the U.S. House of Representatives being in session. The tour aimed to provide Secretary McMahon a firsthand look at how the Crook County School District delivers strong educational outcomes and expands opportunities for students in rural Oregon. His team worked with Commissioner Crawford to arrange direct engagement with students, teachers and administrators to inform national policy decisions.
The media was not invited due to the event due to "security reasons".
At Crook County High School, Secretary McMahon toured Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, including those for construction, health and business. These hands-on learning environments provide students with real-world experience in areas such as project management, design and skilled trades, allowing them to earn industry-recognized certifications and build leadership skills.
The district also highlighted early college opportunities, such as its expansive Advanced Placement and dual-credit offerings. These programs allow students to earn an associate degree by the time they graduate from high school.
At the elementary level, Secretary McMahon reviewed the district's science of reading program at Crooked River Elementary. Discussions at the school focused on improving early literacy outcomes and building strong foundational skills that support long-term academic success.
Crook County Crawford expressed his appreciation for the visit, "I was proud to help host Secretary McMahon and showcase the opportunities available to Crook County students. I appreciate Crook County School District for rolling out the red carpet and making the visit a success."
Crawford further emphasized the importance of the district's focus on career readiness. "It was an honor working with Congressman Bentz to help bring Secretary McMahon to Crook County," Crawford said. "Our schools play a critical role in preparing the next generation of Crook County residents for high-paying, in-demand careers and it's important to keep our focus on that work."
Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff spoke about the unique nature of coordinating such a high-profile visit.
"It's not every day you find yourself coordinating a school visit alongside the Secret Service," Hoff said. "We were honored to host Secretary McMahon in our schools. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you are on, we believe in the importance of meaningful dialogue, building bridges and showcasing the incredible opportunities available to Crook County students."
Dr. Bri Van Roekel, Director of School Improvement, affirmed the district's commitment to student education. "We are deeply committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for every Crook County student," Roekel said. "It was an honor to welcome Secretary McMahon and share the work happening in our classrooms, while also learning from the broader conversation about education."
Congressman Bentz highlighted how such visits inform policy at the federal level.
"Schools are the foundation of our communities, essential to the economic and social survival of the rural parts of our state," Bentz said. "Visits like this provide agencies such as the Department of Education in Washington D.C. with invaluable insight into what is happening in our schools and where improvements are needed. Hearing directly from those on the ground helps better inform national policy decisions and improves opportunities for the success of students in Oregon and across our nation."
The Secretary's visit allowed the Crook County School District to showcase the importance of collaboration between federal, state and local leaders. Throughout the day, conversations focused on continuous improvement, celebrating district successes, and identifying opportunities to further strengthen outcomes for all students.
