COEUR d'ALENE - Matt Handelman stood in front of Winton Elementary School on Monday morning and called schools the focal point of a community.

The Coeur d'Alene School District superintendent's remarks, given to more than 100 people at a ribbon cutting and dedication, were sandwiched between remarks of gratitude for everyone involved in building the new school. Handelman concluded by thanking residents who lived and worked close to the school throughout construction, as well as the entirety of Coeur d'Alene.

"Without the support of those voters, those active voters in our community, this would have never happened," Handelman said. "It's an incredible testament to what the community does for our children."

The 52,000-square-foot building is located northwest of downtown Coeur d'Alene at 920 W. Lacrosse. It was built on the same property as the former Winton Elementary School building, which was 89 years old before being torn down last summer.

Winton's new exterior features red brick and pitched roofs on the main entrance as a throwback to the historic building it's replacing. It has a much larger gym with a stage, a multipurpose room and an elevator.

The entire school is completely ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible.

"I think you will find that this is an awesome place for our children to learn and grow up in," said Principal Karen Troxel.

Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 were at the ribbon cutting ceremony and held the first flag raising ceremony on the new campus while a student sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Board Chair Christa Hazel expressed deep gratitude for the veterans group attending, and donating all the flags the elementary school will use.

"Thank you for your service and thank you for honoring us with our first flag-raising ceremony," she said.

A group of students, the third- through fifth-grade special chorus, donated their vocal talents to the ceremony and performed two songs - "Agents of Change" and "Thank You."

"That thank-you goes out to everyone who had a part in this new building," said Nancy Mueller, a teacher at Winton, after the performance.

Following the ribbon cutting, attendees were invited to join one of the school's teachers for a guided tour of the campus.

"Wow, that is a real gym," one student excitedly remarked as he peered through a window down at the freshly painted Wolf logo at the center of the basketball court.