COEUR d'ALENE - They love their old school, but most parents and teachers who spoke to school officials Wednesday at Winton Elementary said they would prefer a new building that retains the historic character of the original 1920s-era school house that serves as the front section of the existing building.

The meeting, attended by about 50 citizens, was hosted by the school district's administration and board so they could find out how important the old building is to the school community and residents of the surrounding neighborhood.

"I love the feel of Winton, but I want a school that meets the needs of all students ... if that means starting over, then I think that's what we should do," said teacher Erin Lenz.

Architect Corey Trapp shared a conceptual design plan to renovate the school, while preserving the original building that has been added on to multiple times through the years. The playground now in front of the old building would be converted into parking spaces, and the play areas would be shifted to the sides of the school house, which would be gutted and brought up to existing code. Additions would expand the school's square footage to 42,000. The building now has 25,000 square feet, and the portables outside provide an additional 6,000.

Winton currently serves 335 students.

Bryan Martin, the district's maintenance director, said the cost to remodel will be as much as, and possibly more than, what they estimate it will cost to demolish the old building and rebuild.

Martin and Trapp each said there are many unknowns in the condition of the old building, and those could result in additional costs if they choose to remodel.

In addition to being gutted, the brick building would have to be reinforced with steel, and brought up to seismic code.

Martin said that adding on to the building would unsettle the foundation, a move that could cause cracks and other problems to surface within a few years.

Newspaper articles published in the early '90s describe the old school building's foundation as "sinking and cracked" at that time. And 20 years ago, school officials were talking about razing the structure and building new classrooms to replace it.

Winton is one of five school modernization projects being financed by a $32.7 million bond voters passed last summer.

Wendell Wardell, the district's chief operating officer, told the group that $4.8 million has been set aside for the Winton project.

For all five school building projects - the other schools are Borah, Bryan, Canfield and Sorensen - Wardell said contingency funds have been set aside. Any remaining funds from those other projects will be directed toward Winton, the last project planned to take place.

Trapp said his preliminary estimates indicate it would cost roughly $5.7 million to demolish the entire school and start fresh.

Wardell, Superintendent Hazel Bauman, and Trustee Tom Hamilton, assured the crowd that whatever the decision is, whether they renovate or rebuild, the district would have the funds to cover it.

Wardell said they have already seen a $700,000 savings in one of their technology contracts.

Teacher Nancy Mueller said she loves the old Winton building.

"But my opinion is, it has to go, not just because of the cost, but for safety," she said.

The school's multi-purpose room that doubles as a lunch room and the gym is at the foot of a steep set of stairs that make it inaccessible to most students and individuals with disabilities. There is no kitchen on site, so school lunches are transported to the school.

Many children attend classes in the portables, and must walk across the school yard to use the restroom.

Several parents spoke during the Wednesday meeting, but did not give their names. They shared similar thoughts.

"I'm as sentimental as the next, but this has to last going forward 50 years," said one parent, adding that she would like to see the old bricks salvaged and used for "something cool."

Ron Johnson, owner of Johnson Construction in Hayden, was one of the few people at the meeting who feels the old brick school building should be restored.

Johnson recently completed the restoration project on the old Northwest Pacific Railroad depot at the corner of Third and Lakeside in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Johnson said his office is in the old depot built in 1915.

"We completely gutted it and brought it up to today's code," Johnson said. "I understand the parents' concerns, but it can be done."

It's important, he said, because it is the oldest school building in the area.