Finch Elementary opens after extensive rebuild

Slushy snow chilled their toes and rain drizzled overhead as students waited to re-enter their new old school on Monday in northwest Spokane.

A crowd huddled outside Finch Elementary School on North Milton Street for a short, formal dedication before 600-plus children filtered inside Monday, high-fiving teachers and administrators along the way.

Finch, originally built in 1923, has been under construction since summer 2013. The $22.5 million elementary school project was part of a school bond voters approved in 2009. Teachers and administrators moved in over the holidays to welcome back students, who’ve been attending two elementary schools in the interim.

“Glad to see we have the whole school back together again,” said Jonah Aden, 10.

The project took longer than a typical renovation because Finch is Spokane’s first elementary school to be listed on the National Historic Register – made official Jan. 8, 2014.

“It’s very difficult when you are trying to preserve a building in a certain way as opposed to rebuilding it,” said Greg Brown, Spokane Public Schools’ capital projects and planning director. “We are doing it because we know it’s right for the community.”

Saving historic buildings is something the public is proud of, he said.

Lewis and Clark and Rogers high schools also are listed on the historic register. District officials expect to seek recognition for Hutton and Franklin elementary schools next.

Finch is named after John Aylard Finch, one of Spokane’s greatest philanthropists. The British immigrant, one of the co-founders of the Hecla Mining Co., left nearly 40 percent of his fortune to local programs when he died in 1915.

Contractors retained 100 percent of the original school, shaped in an “L.” They renovated the infrastructure and added to the main structure to create a square-shaped building with a courtyard at its center.

The building’s classical columns and divided light windows over the entrance and inside were retooled and preserved. The former library, about the size of a classroom, was retained with enclosed fireplace and tiled hearth in place. The new library is triple the size.

“As a school library, it’s wow,” said Jayme Toth, the school’s librarian.

The music room, gym and an art room are also welcome upgrades.

“I’ve been here since kindergarten, and everything was really beat up and falling apart,” said Tayvon Koss, 11. “Now, it’s nice.”

Added Jonah, who’s in fifth grade, “I think it’s really cool how this is the newest school in Spokane.”