Trump’s visit to Wheeler High School today, Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. Eastern, has raised alarms. The author1 of the post, a longtime resident of Cobb County, expresses concern about using Wheeler High School for a political event involving President Trump and Republican candidates. They argue that public schools, funded by taxpayers of various political affiliations, should remain neutral and focused on education rather than serve as platforms for partisan campaigns. Highlighting the shift in Cobb County’s political landscape, the author insists that schools should not be venues for political statements, advocating instead for preserving their educational mission above all else.
Introduction
I have lived in Cobb County for thirty-five years. During that time, I have watched our county evolve from a reliably Republican suburb into one of Georgia’s most politically diverse communities. Through those changes, one institution has remained constant: our public schools belong to everyone. That is why I am deeply troubled that Wheeler High School has become the venue for President Donald Trump’s visit to Wheeler, accompanied by Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson and U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Mike Collins.
The visit was initially presented as an event highlighting educational excellence and promoting “Trump Accounts.” Had that been its sole purpose, there would still be legitimate questions about using a public school as the backdrop for a presidential event. But the inclusion of Jackson and Collins fundamentally changes the nature of the gathering. It is no longer simply about education. It has become a showcase for the Republican ticket heading into Georgia’s 2026 elections.
That distinction matters.
Public schools are funded by taxpayers of every political persuasion. They exist to educate students, not to provide symbolic stages for partisan campaigns. Wheeler High School is more than a convenient venue; it is a public institution supported by families across the political spectrum. When a president appears alongside candidates actively seeking statewide office, the unmistakable message is one of political unity and electoral promotion, regardless of how the event is officially described.
The Cobb County School District has defended the visit by pointing to the district’s educational accomplishments. Yet if the event’s purpose were solely to celebrate academic excellence or discuss education policy, why include candidates for governor and the U.S. Senate? Their presence suggests that the educational rationale has become secondary to political theater.
Political Theatre
This is particularly significant because Cobb County has become one of Georgia’s defining political battlegrounds. Once considered a Republican stronghold, it now consistently votes Democratic in statewide elections. Holding a high-profile Republican event at one of the county’s premier public schools is therefore more than a scheduling decision. It is a deliberate political statement intended to project strength in a county whose voters have charted a different course.
Jackson and Collins both face highly competitive statewide races. Appearing beside President Trump provides each candidate with valuable media attention and an opportunity to reinforce their ties to the Republican base. Campaign strategists understand the value of such imagery. Whether one supports or opposes these candidates is beside the point. Taxpayer-supported schools should not serve as campaign backdrops.
The question extends beyond politics to stewardship of public resources. Schools exist to educate children and serve their communities. Using school facilities, administrative attention, security coordination, and taxpayer-supported infrastructure for what increasingly resembles a campaign event blurs the line between public service and partisan politics. Even if every legal requirement has been met, citizens have every right to question whether this is an appropriate use of public property.
My concern is not unique to Donald Trump. I would make the same argument if a Democratic president appeared at Wheeler High School flanked by Democratic candidates for governor and the Senate. Public institutions should remain politically neutral. They belong equally to Republicans, Democrats, independents, and those who choose no political affiliation at all.
Schools for Political Conflict
Unfortunately, this event reflects a broader national trend. Schools have increasingly become stages for political conflict rather than places devoted to learning. Debates over curriculum, school boards, parental rights, and educational policy have drawn schools into America’s partisan divisions. Turning a respected public high school into the setting for a campaign-style event only deepens that polarization.
Supporters will argue that a sitting president has every right to recognize outstanding schools and discuss public policy. They will note that elected officials often appear together at official events. Those arguments deserve consideration. Yet perception matters in public life. When active candidates share the stage with the president at a taxpayer-funded school, many citizens will understandably conclude that public resources are being used to advance partisan interests.
After thirty-five years in Cobb County, I care deeply about the reputation of our schools and the character of our community. Wheeler High School has earned its reputation through the achievements of its students, teachers, administrators, and families—not through presidential visits or political rallies.
Democracy depends upon vigorous campaigns, robust debate, and competitive elections. But those campaigns belong in civic centers, campaign headquarters, parks, and public squares—not in our schools. Public education is one of the few institutions that should remain above partisan politics.
For the sake of Cobb County’s students, families, and taxpayers, Wheeler High School should be remembered for academic excellence—not as a campaign stage in Georgia’s next election.
References
Why Donald Trump is headed to Cobb County today, Greg Bluestein, AJC, 7/22/26
‘A slap in the face’: Some in Wheeler High community oppose Trump’s visit, Martha Dalton, AJC, 7/22/26
This is a very powerful article showcasing the nature of Wheeler High School as one of the most diverse schools in the state, as well as its rigorous science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) magnet program, which attracts students from across the county. As one parent said this to say: Wheeler parent Jenny Peterson is also concerned about the allegations against the president as well as his administration’s policies. “It’s predatory that this man is coming. Period,” she said. “First of all, this man does not belong any place that teenage girls go. That’s deeply problematic to me.”
Why a planned Trump school visit is sparking furious pushback in Cobb County, Fox Digital Team, July 18, 2026.
Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Wheeler High School in Cobb County has triggered intense pushback from local progressive groups. The Cobb County Democratic Committee is organizing a peaceful protest against what they describe as a partisan exploitation of public school resources. School board leadership faces criticism over the event, while supporters emphasize that the visit honors the district’s academic achievements.
- Full disclosure: I am Professor Emeritus of Science Education at Georgia State University. I was a professor at GSU from 2069-2003, and have continued working in the field as an emeritus professor. For many years, a cadre of professors across science and math education created TEEMS, a clinically based master’s program for mathematics, science, and engineering majors. Many TEEMS graduates were hired as high school teachers in Cobb County. ↩︎