U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Crook County High School and Crooked River Elementary School in Prineville on Apr. 20 as part of her nationwide “Returning Education to the States” tour, according to a statement from U.S. Congressman Cliff Bentz’s office.
The visit was arranged by Bentz’s Oregon staff while he remained in Washington D.C., with the aim of giving federal officials direct insight into rural education challenges and successes. The tour highlighted local efforts to deliver strong educational outcomes and expand opportunities for students in Central Oregon.
Bentz said, “Schools are the foundation of our communities, essential to the economic and social survival of the rural parts of our state. 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.”
During her visit, Secretary McMahon toured Career and Technical Education facilities that offer business, construction, health programs, Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit offerings, and pathways for students to earn an Associate’s Degree upon graduation. Superintendent Dr. Joel Hoff said, “It’s not every day you find yourself coordinating a school visit alongside the Secret Service… 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 added: “We are deeply committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for every Crook County student… It was an honor to welcome Secretary McMahon and share the work happening in our classrooms.” Commissioner Seth Crawford said working with Bentz made it possible “to help bring Secretary McMahon to Crook County,” emphasizing that schools play a critical role preparing local residents for high-paying careers.
The day included discussions about early literacy at Crooked River Elementary as well as broader conversations about continuous improvement within district schools.
Bentz is currently serving in Congress representing Oregon’s 2nd district after replacing Greg Walden according to his official biography. He has served since 2021 following previous roles both in Oregon’s House (2008-2018) and State Senate (2018-2020) as reported by Ballotpedia. Bentz was born in Salem in 1952; he lives now in Ontario according to Wikipedia. He graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a BA before earning his JD at Lewis & Clark College according to his official biography.
