The Great Neck Public Schools are offering a new North option for this coming September for students in the current south zoned regions of the E.M. Baker Elementary School and the Saddle Rock Elementary School who will enter grades six through 12. And for September 2009 and beyond, a demographic study will be commissioned and by next year this time a broad plan will be adopted. With the final plan, any students (and their younger siblings) who have chosen this year's North option will be permitted to attend North zoned schools until high school graduation.

At the opening of the special meeting last Monday, Feb. 25, Board of Education President Barbara Berkowitz thanked the public for their input, which "helped shape the resolution."

Superintendent of Schools Ronald Friedman, who first proposed the option at the last board meeting, once again met with general approval in the form of a small audience and few comments, as he put forth the North option again, this time for board adoption. Explaining that the proposal was developed to provide "immediate relief for South High," Dr. Friedman said that he did not want to make any "hard decisions" without first consulting a demographer. His proposal, he said, would provide "immediate relief with a temporary step." In addition to a demographic study, by the time the study is completed the district will also have an idea as to the success of the North optional zone.

Dr. Friedman said that the plan is to have the demographic study completed by this coming September; at that point the district would be able to do a long range study of all options.

Dr. Friedman also then noted that, in order to provide more relief for South High, physical plans were filed with New York State. Space needs are mainly in the science lab area.

Already Dr. Friedman and his staff have been discussing the "optional plans" now officially set for September. A letter to parents of those students involved in the choice will soon be sent to the community. For the approximately 70 students involved in the "choice," there will be open houses at North Middle and North High; students and parents will also have opportunities to meet with guidance counselors and principals.

As he made his recommendation, Dr. Friedman also said that the "feedback" from the proposal was "quite positive," although Dr. Friedman did state that "there are no perfect solutions at this point."

And then Dr. Friedman made his proposal. As he explained the option once again, he noted that anyone choosing the North option would receive bus service if they are beyond the walker distance.

Dr. Friedman went on to further explain that upon adoption of this plan, the district would start the process of hiring a demographer, with this report complete by September 2008. The school board and the administration would then work on the report's results, analyzing the report and seeking community input. A decision on how to then proceed would be due by January 2009. Dr. Friedman did then emphasize again that anyone who this year opts for the North schools may continue at North until high school graduation; younger siblings would have the same option, "so as not to cause angst to a family."

Although very few residents spoke, Mindy Horowitz, representing "parent leadership" such as UPTC, the Presidents' Council, and the PTA groups, thanked Dr. Friedman and the board for "listening" and for a "well thought-out and detailed plan."

As some undercurrents were sensed, Ms. Berkowitz spoke up about "two wonderful high schools." She emphasized that the district is "proud of both," and that both high schools produce students who have great pride in their own schools. Ms. Berkowitz also spoke of the "equality" of the schools regarding accomplishments and college acceptance. "We're looking to provide relief to the South schools," she said.

When a resident questioned a possible problem if not enough students choose North, Dr. Friedman said that there is "strong indication" that many students will go North. He said that there are families that favor each school. The process, he said, "will not end tonight ... this is the beginning." And he added, "If we have to do more, we will do more."

The board of education then unanimously approved the North option.