Great Neck North High School students disciplined for sneaking outside students into building, superintendent says
Great Neck North High School. Credit: Charles Eckert
An undisclosed number of Great Neck North High School students have been disciplined for an "irresponsible prank," according to the district superintendent.
The students allegedly allowed two teenagers from a different school to slip into their building, according to a school letter sent to parents last week.
The incident happened on Dec. 5, and involved the efforts of a "large group" of Great Neck North High School students who allegedly planned the event and distracted security to facilitate the breach, according to a letter sent by schools Superintendent Kenneth R. Bossert.
Students escorted the two outsiders as they roamed the hallways for about 10 minutes before building administrators caught up to them. Nassau police were called to the school and issued trespass orders, according to the letter. The teenagers' school was also notified and, Bossert wrote, "We have been advised that sanctions were assigned."
He added, "Our investigation concluded that this was an orchestrated, irresponsible prank involving a sizable group of North High students. It was determined that the students’ intent was to take and post pictures with these two individuals inside the building."
Bossert wrote that the students did not enter classrooms. "It is essential to convey that at no time were students or staff in danger," he said.
In an email, Bossert told Newsday he could not say how many students were disciplined because issues related to student discipline are confidential. But the letter states that the students violated the school's code of conduct and "appropriate consequences have been assigned."
It's unclear what those consequences were.
The district said in the letter it is reviewing its security protocols.
It’s not the first time the district has dealt with security issues. In December 2022, nine teenagers carrying a switchblade-style knife, pepper spray and a Taser sneaked into Great Neck South High School planning to attack a student. Nobody was injured but the district strengthened security measures then.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
