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Our Needs

School/Education Center Maintenance Issues

Our church and school today offer an increasing number of ways for people of all ages to participate in spiritual, educational, social, and service ministries. And we have a firm foundation for our future thanks to our successful 2011 capital campaign. As a result, we have completed projects such as the parish hall addition, school HVAC, school science room, and church sound system. Yet, despite our accomplishments and strong heritage of activity, some significant challenges remain.

New Roof

In September 2019 we replaced the gym’s sloped roofs and the Costelloe Center Preschool roofs with 50-year shingles, and a new, top protective layer was added to the flat roof of the gym’s front entrance.

  • The school’s remaining old roof is well past its lifespan and causing damaging and disruptive leaking. 
  • Both school classes and our all-parish religious education programs are impacted on rainy days. 
  • The north stairwell leaks so badly it “rains inside” on wet days and must be avoided. This impacts nearly everyone as it’s the easiest access point to the recess area and cafeteria.
  • Drips in the north stairwell force students to be walked to their classes outside the longer way.
  • New leaks continuously develop on classroom ceiling panels, in the upper hallway, and on the building’s east side. Some look like they might worsen at any moment.  
  • On rainy days, school administration and maintenance staff regularly survey the building’s status and safety. The principal has even come in on weekends to place buckets so the carpet isn’t soaked on Monday morning.  
  • The leaking roof is very worrisome for leadership, the school principal, and our maintenance tech every time it rains. 
  • Putting temporary patches in place isn’t good stewardship of our time or financial resources.   
School/Education Center Activities & Uses
  • Marriage Ministry
  • All Religious Ed classes for non-St. Matthew students. 
  • Cub Scouts
  • Preschool
  • CYO (Catholic Youth sports, including local tournaments)
  • Fall Festival 
  • Pie Making “The Holy Rollers”
  • Vida en Cristo
  • Vacation Bible School

Seismic Retrofitting

  • Our 1950’s era school and education center building does not meet current earthquake code requirements.
  • Hillsboro is located along the Pacific Subduction Zone where earthquake activity is more prevalent, and a severe earthquake has the potential to cause catastrophic damage to our building and those within it. 
  • Portland, Beaverton, and Hillsboro school districts have been passing significant bond measures to upgrade the public schools to meet newer seismic building code requirements.  
  • We need to protect our children and provide them with a safe environment in every respect, not the least of which is a safe place to learn, play, and pray.
  • We need to live out our mission statement: Guided by the Holy Spirit, St. Matthew Catholic School nurtures the whole child to live, learn, and serve with the compassion of Christ.