Dept. of Education's 'History Rocks' event stops in Brookfield; critics question ties to right-wing groups

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The U.S. Department of Education travelled to southeast Wisconsin Friday, and it came with some controversy. The "History Rocks!" tour came to Brookfield Central High School, and it prompted criticism from some parents and students over the initiative's ties to right-wing organizations.

The event, itself, did not feature any overtly partisan or political programming. An official from the Department of Education spoke about U.S. history and Wisconsin's role in expanding the developing nation's western frontier. Students then played an interactive quiz game where they answered questions about American and Wisconsin history.

However, critics pointed to the tour's open ties a number of conservative groups, including Turning Point USA, the Heritage Foundation and Moms for Liberty. The groups are part of the 'American 250 Civics Education Coalition.'

A number of students walked out of both the Brookfield Central and Brookfield East campuses in protest of the event. 

The event also featured a guest speaker and display from the American Journey Experience, a Texas museum founded by right-wing talk show host Glenn Beck.

The display included artifacts such as a bible from the 1500s, an early draft of the Declaration of Independence, and a Wonka bar, which was a Wisconsin-specific nod to the late Gene Wilder, a Milwaukee native.

"When we first joined the coalition, the secretary of the education department was very honest with us about the goal of the mission," Mike Noriega, the chief of outreach for the American Journey Experience. "And the goal is, as we go across the country, what we learn is we know Americans who love America, so our goal is to show you what it means to be an American citizen."

Some parents questioned whether the event would whitewash American history by ignoring the uglier aspects of the nation's past.

One Brookfield parent, who asked to be anonymous so his kids wouldn't be identified, said he was troubled by the education department publicly partnering with partisan political groups.

"I think when you have groups like that coming into a taxpayer-funded public high school, it immediately raises some questions about the balance here," the parent said.

Local elected officials were invited to the event, including State Sen. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), State Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee), State Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) and Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto.

Vining said she did not attend the event because of her concerns over the tour's ties to conservative groups. 

"Because I don't think we should have political activity on school grounds during school hours, I declined the invitation," she said.

On at least one past tour stop, there was a clear cross-promotion with Turning Point USA. In northern Illinois last month, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon appeared with Erika Kirk, the widow of the organization's late co-founder, Charlie Kirk.

According to Northern Public Radio, some students said organizers handed out Turning Point USA merchandise. There was no evidence of merchandise or apparel from the coalition groups at Friday's Brookfield event.  

That Illinois event was closed to the public. Media were welcome to record Friday's event, although reporters were asked to not speak with students or staff.

Both school Principal Brett Gruetzmacher and Elmbrook Schools Superintendent Mark Hansen declined to be interviewed about the event. Members of the Brookfield Parent-Teacher Organization at Friday's event also declined to speak about it.

Hutton did attend and said he did not see anything problematic about the event as it was conducted in Brookfield Friday.

"I was pleased with how it was presented here," Hutton said. "Pleased with the turnout and pleased with those parents that did participate and chose to have their child part of this."