Marine veteran and mother of five, Tessa Bulzan, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Hillsboro School District in Oregon, asserting that the district denied reimbursement for her homeschool curriculum because the materials reflect a Christian worldview.
Background
Bulzan left a six‑figure job in 2025 after an incident at her children’s school conflicted with her moral and biblical beliefs. She and her husband decided to homeschool their five children, joining the district’s homeschool partnership program in July 2025. The program initially approved the use of Christian curriculum—specifically Abeka and Classical Conversations—stating the materials met the district’s academic standards.
Denial of Reimbursement
In January 2026, Bulzan submitted a request for reimbursement of the curriculum costs. The district rejected the request, telling her the denial was due to the author’s biblical worldview, references to God, and incidental Scripture in the books. Bulzan says the district acknowledged there were no comparable secular alternatives at the same academic level, yet still refused funding.
“One‑hundred percent, it was discrimination,” Bulzan told Fox News Digital. She added that the same curriculum had previously been praised for exceeding state standards in math, writing, grammar, and other core subjects.
Legal Arguments
Attorney Kate Anderson of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed the suit on Bulzan’s behalf, arguing the district’s action violates the Constitution’s guarantee of religious liberty. Anderson cited Supreme Court precedent that government programs offering public benefits cannot exclude individuals because of religious content.
“Religious families need to be treated on equal footing with secular families,” Anderson said. “This case clearly violates the Constitution, and we are hopeful the court will act swiftly.”
District Response
A spokesperson for the Hillsboro School District declined to comment on the pending litigation, noting the district’s policy to refrain from discussing ongoing lawsuits.
Implications for Parents
The case highlights a growing tension between school districts and families who choose faith‑based homeschooling resources. For parents in Oregon and beyond, the lawsuit raises questions about how public funds can be applied to religious educational materials and whether districts must treat such requests the same as secular ones.
Bulzan’s family, which relies on the reimbursement to cover extracurricular activities and additional curriculum, says the denial placed a financial strain on their household. Her husband currently earns less than $50,000, making the reimbursement crucial to their budgeting.
Next Steps
The lawsuit is in its early stages, and a federal judge will determine whether the district’s policy aligns with constitutional protections for religious exercise. The outcome could set a precedent for how Oregon school districts handle reimbursement requests for faith‑based educational materials.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
