Marine Veteran Sues Oregon School District Over Curriculum Reimbursement

A Marine veteran and mother of five is taking legal action against an Oregon school district. She claims officials denied reimbursement for an academic curriculum because it reflected a Christian worldview.

Tessa Bulzan, who left a well-paying job after a conflict at her children’s school, joined the Hillsboro School District’s homeschool partnership program in July 2025. Initially, the district approved her Christian curriculum as academically valid but later refused reimbursement.

“There was an incident where a teacher said something against our moral and biblical beliefs,” Bulzan shared with Fox News Digital. “After prayer and consideration, my husband and I decided I would become a stay-at-home mother to start homeschooling our children. It’s been the best decision we’ve made.”

Bulzan’s curriculum, which included materials like Abeka and Classical Conversations, met the district’s academic standards. However, in January, when she sought reimbursement, she encountered a refusal solely because of the curriculum’s biblical background.

The refusal came as a shock to Bulzan, who had planned to use the reimbursement for additional educational activities. She questioned why the district would reject such academically rigorous materials, which included a cursive book used for her daughter with dyslexia.

Bulzan noted, “One-hundred percent, it was discrimination. Initially, I was told that all my curriculum met the school board and state standards. There was no argument against it before.”

Feeling singled out, Bulzan conducted her investigation and concluded she was discriminated against due to her Christian beliefs. She observed, “They allowed other materials with secular worldviews but denied mine because it included references to God.”

In September, attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a suit against the Hillsboro School District in federal court. ADF attorney Kate Anderson stated, “This is religious discrimination, which the Supreme Court and the Constitution do not support. Religious families must be treated equally with secular families regarding curriculum reimbursement.”

The Hillsboro School District’s spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. Meanwhile, media reports indicate that the case emphasizes the ongoing debate over religious inclusion in public benefit programs.