EXCLUSIVE — A conservative education watchdog filed a federal civil rights complaint on Wednesday, accusing Portland Public Schools of illegally steering millions of taxpayer dollars into a race-exclusive education initiative, even as the district confronts a widening budget crisis.

Defending Education submitted the complaint to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Wednesday, alleging that Portland’s Center for Black Student Excellence violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the equal protection clause by directing programs, services, and facilities on the basis of race.