Federal Updates

Dear TTSD Community,

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had informal conversations with many of you regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s recent request for school districts to certify compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While we fully support and already comply with the law’s prohibition against discrimination, signing this certification letter as currently written would compromise the important equity work we are doing to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students. It would also run counter to TTSD’s deeply held values.

The Department’s directive has created a difficult dilemma: districts that choose not to sign may risk losing federal Title funding—resources that support some of our most essential student services.

In response, I’ve been actively engaged in discussions with my superintendent colleagues from large districts, along with leaders from COSA with support from OSBA. Together, we’ve taken a stand and signed onto a joint letter (see attached) expressing our concerns and formally opposing the Department of Justice’s certification request.

As I’ve said before and will continue to emphasize: in TTSD, we value equity, diversity, and inclusion—and we are not going to change. These principles guide our decision-making, shape our learning environments, and reflect our unwavering belief that every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

In service,

Dr. Iton Udosenata
Superintendent
Tigard-Tualatin School District

Letter: Acknowledgement of ODE's response to USDOE

 

The federal government has reversed ground on plans announced last week that placed as much as $3 trillion in federal funding in limbo.

This began after the White House announced plans last Monday to pause “all federal financial assistance.” A judge temporarily blocked those plans, but amid mass confusion the administration canceled the plans Wednesday afternoon.

For TTSD and other school districts, three of the funding sources of greatest concern are Title funds designed to assist low-income students, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) spending for special education, and federal school meals programs.

News coverage has been widespread.

 

Over the past few weeks, there has been growing uncertainty about how new federal mandates might impact public schools. As a district, we have been monitoring developments closely, awaiting guidance from both federal and state agencies to ensure we can continue serving students with minimal disruption to their education.

This week, we saw the first significant federal action—a temporary freeze on federal aid that supports critical school programs and services. While the freeze has since been put on hold by the courts, we are actively working with state agencies and education advocates to ensure student needs remain at the forefront of policy discussions.

At this time, there are no immediate changes that will impact school operations. However, we want to assure you that we remain committed to keeping families informed with timely and accurate updates. In the coming days, we will be dedicating a section on our district website where families can access real-time information. Additionally, we will use ParentSquare to communicate any significant changes related to federal policies, school regulations, or funding updates.

While the national landscape continues to evolve, one thing remains unchanged—our unwavering commitment to educating every student, every day. Thank you for your trust and partnership as we navigate these changes together.