The Great Neck Public Schools' board of education unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the establishment of charter schools. At the board's Nov. 23 meeting, Board of Education Trustee Mona Fuchs reported that the state has drafted, but not yet adopted, legislation that would permit charter schools at the expense of funding that would have gone to the local public schools. It will be voted on at a special session of the state legislature this month.

A charter school is a school that a group of individuals decide to start, using taxpayers' money that would have gone to that child's local public school. The school gets its charter from either the state or the local school district, depending on how the regulations are written.

Ms. Fuchs spoke about the state ''always impacting on our local governance of schools...one more horrible than the next.'' She said that she has ''never felt more besieged regarding public education'' than when the state announced its new standard and assessments. And now, with the possibility of charter schools, the state would be taking away even more local control.

Ms. Fuchs said that the school boards association has informed the state as to the problems with the charter school draft. At its last meeting, the New York State School Boards Association voted in opposition to charter schools.

Urging the community to contact the state legislators and voice their opposition, Ms. Fuchs said that this is happening ''without public discussion...without value...because of two interests.'' She explained that this is a ''big political issue, especially in Republican states'' with 33 states already having charter school mandates in place.

And in New York State, according to Ms. Fuchs, ''Governor Pataki is said to have interests in national politics'' and the charter school issue, which he proposed, ''is important to him.''

Charter schools have been rejected in previous New York State legislative sessions, but, all along, ''the issue has been out there,'' she said, further explaining that the state legislators have not had a raise in a few years and this special session is the time for this vote. As well, Ms. Fuchs said that the legislature will now come back for the two votes---the raise and charter schools---and she feels that the Governor might not approve the raise ''unless he gets something.''

''It is terrible that our children are being held hostage to political maneuvers,'' she stated. ''Anything that distracts from directing all funds available in every district takes away from providing services that all children should have.''

Ms. Fuchs went on to explain that a charter school, taking children away from the public schools, does not cut down on costs for that public school. Instead, the public school becomes more expensive to operate, needing the same room, the same teacher, the same equipment, for each class, but with funding for one (or more) fewer student(s). ''They take their operating money with them,'' she said. As a result, the next year, the public school cost per child becomes greater.

''If there ever was a catch-22, this is it,'' said Mona Fuchs, adding, ''There is no rational reason, just a quick fix to help, what, I don't know...this doesn't help the children who need extra help...''

Board of Education President Judi Bosworth noted that charter schools do not have the same mandates as public schools, except for issues concerning health and safety. ''They have more flexibility, smaller class size, at the expense of the public schools,'' she stressed.

Ms. Bosworth said that the state needs to focus on raising standards for all schools, and ''not take away resources from the many for the few.''

The board of education student delegates spoke up, also unanimous in their support for the resolution opposing charter schools. This support was added to the resolution as an amendment.

Speaking to these student delegates, Superintendent of Schools William Shine said that it is important that these students understand that ''the greatest example of public education is here.''

''This is as good as it gets,'' said Dr. Shine, stating that the students know what they have experienced, they know and understand the diversity in their schools. He reminded the students that they are in their schools solely because of where they live. ''This (charter schools) is an attack on diversity,'' he stated, ''Will good students from good homes stay (in the public schools), or will public schools die?''

The resolution adopted by the board of education states that charter schools ''divert resources and public attention away from the public school system at a time when all of our resources and attention should be focused on helping local school districts to ensure that all students can meet higher academic standards,'' and, as well, the resolution says that charter schools ''divert the attention of policy makers from true education reform that will improve the chances of success for all students, such as the more equitable distribution of state aid, teacher certification reform, improved discipline and a system of renewable contracts instead of the traditional tenure system.''

The resolution also states that ''charter schools are not accountable to the state and local taxpayers who support them,'' and that they ''may foster the fragmentation of our community.''

Instead of charter schools, the resolution recommends that the policy makers ''work with our local community to ensure that our public schools provide world class educational opportunities for all students.''

''We hope this sends a very clear message to the legislature and to the Governor,'' said Ms. Bosworth.