Hillsboro School District 1J is proceeding with plans for a July 2009 demolition of the J. B. Thomas Middle School building, located at 645 NE Lincoln Street. This longtime Art Deco landmark was built in 1928-1929 as Hillsboro Union High School and housed Hilhi until the current Rood Bridge Road campus opened in 1969. Once leveled, it will be replaced by fenced-in sports fields.

Many residents of the school district have expressed their dismay at the idea of losing this ‘signature’ building which, through the decades, has touched the lives of so many citizens of the region. And especially, if it's to be replaced by nothing more than fields for a school district that already owns several other grassy open spaces nearby which could be used for sports (including the site of the 1922 Peter Boscow Elementary, demolished in '08). In response, we joined together in 2008 as “Friends of the Old School” (FOTOS), an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working to convince the School District to consider alternative plans for the former Hilhi building.

FOTOS would like to see the front portion of the historic building saved, restored and reused. Perhaps as an additional artistic and educational community center and as an expanded performance venue for the cultural and arts scene gaining momentum in downtown Hillsboro. We contend that the structure is worthy of being saved due to positive attributes such as its large size, acoustically fine auditorium (1,200 seats), central location, proximity to the MAX light rail line, aesthetic attractiveness and adaptability to many future uses. Furthermore, we believe that the preserved and reused building (the front portion, after the wings and outbuildings are razed) and the desired playing fields for the adjacent, newly-built Lincoln Street Elementary School could exist side-by-side on this sizable property. They need not necessarily be thought of as two mutually exclusive elements.

If you agree with FOTOS and feel that the Art Deco-style J. B. Thomas (former Hilhi) building should be saved, there are multiple ways you can help. Please visit the ‘You Can Help!’ page for more information.