On Wednesday, it was announced U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon would visit McKinley Elementary School on Friday to help celebrate America's 250th birthday.

A few hours and plenty of emails and phone calls from concerned parents later, Fairfield Superintendent Michael Testani announced McMahon's visit had been canceled.

"A lot of the students here need the special education services that the secretary of education tried to stop," parent Jill Alward says. "Hearing she was coming here and going to be celebrated was quite unfortunate."

Testani claims an alarming number of parents said they would keep their children out of school on Friday if McMahon were to visit.

The education secretary is touring schools across the country as part of the "History Rocks!" Tour, a national program connected to the Department of Education billed as a dynamic, interactive assembly with hands-on activities for students.

While some parents are applauding the decision to cancel, others disagreed with the move.

"I understand not liking her," parent Lori Canahui says, "but I do feel like it took a learning experience away from our children. That's kind of sad."

"I'm very, very grateful that the town listened to us, and that they cancelled this event that the parents don't want," parent Tracy Rodriguez says. "I'm very upset with the superintendent. I'm very upset that it ever was proposed or accepted."