LEBANON — When architects began designing Lebanon's new high school they focused on the future.

        Though built for 1,400 students initially, the core facilities — cafeteria, gymnasiums, media center — will be large enough to accommodate 1,600 students and are designed so classrooms can easily be added as enrollment grows, said Superintendent James W. “Bill” Sears.

        This year, the high school has 1,336 students. Within 20 years, enrollment could grow to nearly 2,400, according to district estimates.

        Groundbreaking for the $32 million, 245,490-square-foot school is set for 2 p.m., Oct. 6, at the 84-acre Drake Road site, just north of Miller Road. It is expected to open in 2004.

        “This is the beginning of a very exciting time for Lebanon,” Mr. Sears said. “When they start moving dirt, you know it's going to become a reality.”

        The school will be divided into two main areas — an academic wing and an events area for sports, school productions or community programs. Each section can be closed off from the other when not in use. Interior and exterior security cameras will also be installed.

        The two-story academic wing contains 39 classrooms, all with windows, plus 12 specially equipped science classrooms. A visual arts suite contains four art rooms that open to a courtyard, a digital lab and two storage rooms. The music department has separate rooms for vocal and instrumental ensembles along with several practice rooms, said Jenny Moormeier, director of secondary education and technology.

        The high school will be packed with new technology.

        All classrooms will have five computers, overhead projectors, large screen televisions and video/DVD players.

        Students will be able to access education and business programs on the school's computer system from their homes or library via the Internet. Student “smart cards” will serve as identification, library and cafeteria debit cards and will allow access to the building.

        The two-story media center will have a research lab on the second floor. A 90-seat conference room is equipped with large projection screens and a small stage that opens to the courtyard, making a small amphitheater.

        “We're not only looking two years ahead or five years ahead, we're looking 20 years ahead,” Ms. Moormeier said.

        Plans also include several “Cyber Cafes” for student use plus computer labs for digital imaging, computer-aided design, journalism and yearbook work. A multimedia/video technical studio with portable cameras and Teleprompters will allow live video broadcasts via the city's cable station or onto the district's web site.

        Although an auditorium is planned for the second phase of construction, the high school will contain a “cafetorium” that seats 900 and has a stage complete with sound and lighting systems for school productions.

        Multiple entrances will separate car and bus traffic, said Stu Long, director of business operations.

        Sue Kiesewetter contributed to this report.

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