LEBANON — Three years from now, Lebanon City Schools will move away from neighborhood elementary schools in favor of a configuration that puts two grade levels in each building for grades 1-8.

        Under the plan approved this week by the Lebanon Board of Education, there will also be a kindergarten center and one high school for grades 9-12.

        The plan will take effect in fall of 2004, the same time the district opens a new elementary school and high school on Drake Road.

        What makes the plan unique, Lebanon educators say, is that it also establishes a “Connections Team” — consisting of a principal, secretary, aides and others — to be assigned to each grade. That team will move with students from grade to grade and building to building through the sixth grade.

        “What we heard from parents over and over is they want equity for students when the new buildings open,” said Superintendent James W. “Bill” Sears. “They also said they want to feel connected to a principal. This plan does that.”

        Under the proposal, Louisa Wright Elementary School would become the district's kindergarten center. The new elementary school, Bowman, would house grades one and two. Third- and fourth-graders would be assigned to Donovan. Berry Middle School would be home to fifth- and sixth-graders.

        The existing high school would be renovated for seventh- and eighth-graders.

        Besides the Connections Team, each school would have an instructional principal who would not move from building to building. That individual would become a specialist in curriculum for the two grades assigned to the building. The district's two oldest schools, Holbrook and Dunlavy, would close in 2004, Mr. Sears said.

        “This could very easily become a model for other districts,” said the Rev. Orville Robinson, president of the Lebanon Board of Education and senior pastor at Cornerstone Church of God. “It's cutting edge. It's a good way to develop a relationship (with students) at a very important time in their lives.”

        Mr. Sears said he would like to add a counselor to each team if money becomes available.

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