US Education Secretary Touts Reducing Bureaucracy on Nebraska Visit

Linda McMahon highlights focus on empowering schools during stop at Waverly elementary

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:17pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of a stack of textbooks repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the bureaucratic obstacles in education that the Secretary of Education aims to reduce.McMahon's focus on reducing bureaucracy aims to empower local schools and teachers to better serve their students' educational needs.Waverly Today

During a visit to an elementary school in Waverly, Nebraska, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed her focus on removing bureaucratic barriers to help students succeed. McMahon praised the school's implementation of the science of reading and other educational approaches.

Why it matters

As the head of the U.S. Department of Education, McMahon's priorities and perspectives on reducing bureaucracy and empowering local schools are significant, especially in a state like Nebraska that has historically valued local control over education.

The details

McMahon toured the Waverly elementary school and met with administrators and teachers to discuss their educational practices. She emphasized her goal of clearing away unnecessary red tape to allow schools greater flexibility in serving their students' needs.

  • McMahon visited the Waverly elementary school on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Linda McMahon

The U.S. Secretary of Education, appointed by the President to lead the Department of Education.

Waverly Elementary School

A public elementary school located in Waverly, Nebraska that McMahon visited during her trip.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just really impressed looking at how the science of reading and different aspects of it is being implemented here in the school,”

— Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education

The takeaway

McMahon's visit and comments highlight the federal government's focus on empowering local schools and reducing bureaucratic obstacles, an approach that aligns with Nebraska's tradition of local control over education.