A protest involving around 100 students and community members took place during U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s visit to Essex High School and nearby education facilities in Chittenden County, Vermont. The demonstration formed in response to her visit and broader federal education policy discussions, with particular focus on concerns over education reform and classroom technology.
The video of the protest was uploaded to Reddit on the r/Vermont subreddit, where it quickly gained attention. It received hundreds of upvotes and comments, with many users expressing support for the students and community members involved in the demonstration.
According to an official press release, McMahon was in Vermont as part of her “Returning Education to the States Tour,” which included stops at the Center for Technology, Essex, and Vermont State University’s Williston Campus. The tour focused on career and technical education programs, workforce training, and efforts to align schooling with labor market needs.
While McMahon toured classrooms and met with educators and administrators, Vermont students and local residents gathered outside and along parts of the visit route. Protesters raised concerns about federal education policy decisions, especially proposals linked to the increased use of artificial intelligence in classrooms, which some educators in the area have already criticized.
Witnesses said the protest formed quickly as word of the visit spread through the school community and nearby areas. Students joined alongside parents and other residents, with many saying they were frustrated by what they described as a lack of local input in national education decisions. The demonstration remained largely peaceful, although it caused visible disruption around school grounds during the visit. Some attendees also said that the timing of the visit and the security presence contributed to heightened tensions.
McMahon continued her scheduled tour, which included visits to classrooms in construction, healthcare, dental assisting, and engineering programs. She also took part in discussions focused on preparing students for workforce pathways and strengthening connections between education and industry.
Vermont Students Spark Online Debate
Online reactions to the protest in Vermont were largely critical and highly polarized, with many users focusing on opposition to bringing artificial intelligence into classrooms. Some commenters argued that increased technology use in schools has already negatively affected student learning and said AI could further reduce critical thinking and academic performance. Others pointed to concerns from teachers who say they are already struggling with students using AI tools on personal devices, describing classroom AI integration as a risky or harmful move.
Several commenters broadened the discussion into political criticism of education policy and the officials involved. “But what was she there for?” one user wrote, reflecting confusion or skepticism about the purpose of the visit in Vermont. Some users expressed distrust of federal education reforms, suggesting they could weaken public schooling or increase privatization.
There was also debate about the role of technology in education more generally. Some users pointed to concerns about excessive screen time and declining academic performance, while a smaller group argued that AI and digital tools could still be useful if properly managed. However, that perspective was less common in the thread.
The Department of Education has not issued a statement regarding the protest or the concerns raised during the visit.
