Hillsboro Parent Filed Lawsuit Over Homeschool Funding
A local mother is suing the Hillsboro School District after being denied reimbursement for religious-based curriculum.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Homeschooling
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Should public school reimbursement programs cover faith-based curriculum used for homeschooling?
Tessa Bulzan has filed a federal lawsuit against the Hillsboro School District following the denial of reimbursement requests for Christian-based homeschool materials. The school district had previously approved other non-religious titles for the same partnership program.
Why it matters
The case highlights the tension between public education funding and religious instruction. Bulzan alleges religious discrimination after the district cited incidental scripture and references to God as reasons for denying her reimbursement.
The district approved reimbursement for books like Julian is a Mermaid and We Are Water Protectors while rejecting curriculum from Abeka and Classical Conversations. The district confirmed that all requested materials met academic and state standards.
The players
Tessa Bulzan
A parent who has initiated federal litigation against a local school district regarding curriculum reimbursement policies.
Hillsboro School District
A public school authority in Oregon that manages a partnership program for families who choose to homeschool their children.
The details
Bulzan enrolled in the Homeschool Partnership Program in July 2025 but found her requests for religious-based materials blocked. She pursued an appeal process with the district before ultimately escalating the dispute to federal court.
Timeline
Bulzan enrolled in the partnership program in July 2025.
Culture Shift
This litigation reflects a growing national debate over the boundaries of public funding for private religious education. It underscores the broader societal tension regarding the integration of faith-based content into taxpayer-supported educational initiatives.
Local families participating in district partnership programs may face increased scrutiny or changes to reimbursement guidelines based on the court's final ruling. This could alter how residents select and purchase curriculum for their children moving forward.
The takeaway
The court's decision will likely establish a clearer precedent for what constitutes permissible religious content in publicly funded curriculum. Residents should monitor local board meetings for potential adjustments to the partnership program's reimbursement criteria.
Further reading
For more information on local education policies, visit the Hillsboro Homeschooling section.
Live Poll
Should public school reimbursement programs cover faith-based curriculum used for homeschooling?
