The Great Neck Public Schools Board of Education's newly-proposed policy on district sponsored student publications was reviewed for the first time at a public meeting at the board's Oct. 30 public action meeting. As this was only a first reading, it is anticipated that there will be at least two more public readings.

Several comments were made during the meeting regarding the policy. Although some changes might be forthcoming, at this point, the policy reads as follows:

''Students shall enjoy the constitutional right of freedom of expression. They shall have the right to express their views in speech, writing, on the Internet, or through any other medium or form, limited solely by those restrictions imposed on all citizens generally and those specifically applicable to children and youth in a school setting. The board of education is ultimately responsible for the content of district sponsored student publications.

''The board of education authorizes student publications because they offer an educational activity through which students gain experience in reporting, writing, editing, and understanding responsible journalism. Student publications are intended to provide an opportunity for student expression, but they are not public forums.

''All student publications --- whether print or electronic --- will comply with the rules for responsible journalism. Libelous statements, unfounded charges and accusations, obscenity, threats of violence, false statements, expressions of hatred, ridicule of individuals or groups, articles advocating racial, religious, or other forms of prejudice, or the breaking of laws and school regulations, or materials designed to disrupt the educational process will not be permitted. Expressions of personal opinion must be clearly identified as such, and bear the name of the author. Opportunity for the expression of opinions differing from those of the student publishers must be provided.

''Student publications, moreover, should be free of advertisements for alcohol, tobacco, illicit or illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or any other substance or activity proscribed by law for minors.

''Each school shall develop a publication manual, consistent with this policy, for each student publication. All such publication manuals shall be available in the school library for public review.''

Board trustee Barbara Berkowitz, chair of the board's policy committee, offered a brief history of the policy, which was first introduced to the public last February. This was followed by a public meeting in May, after which the policy draft was sent out for comments (sent to schools, PTAs, high school publications, principals, and interested members of the public). The comments were then incorporated into the current draft of the policy.

Referring to the policy, Ms. Berkowitz stated, ''Now the advisors and editors have clear guidelines as to what is not to be put in the newspapers.'' The publication manuals will be separate for each school, she said, as ''we believe in school-based management ... so it is up to each school.'' According to Superintendent of Schools William Shine, the advisors and staff at each school will help the students develop the policy.

Board trustee Lawrence Gross commented on this policy being ''brief,'' as compared to previous drafts.

Dr. Shine noted some important points in the policy --- student publications are not a public forum, the ultimate responsibility rests with the board of education, and there is to be ''no prior restraint.'' Dr. Shine said that the policy ''places a heavy burden on student leadership, on the advisors, and, ultimately on the principals,'' even though the policy does not call for the principals to review each article.

Dr. Shine added that this policy shows, ''a generous belief in the quality of our students ... they just need to be reminded of the standards in the policy.'' (He later noted that the policy manual for South High's newspaper, The Southerner, does refer to that paper as a public forum, and this would have to be removed if the policy is adopted. North High does not, as yet, have a newspaper policy manual, according to Principal Bernard Kaplan.)

Also referring to student publications not being a public forum, Ms. Berkowitz said that this statement comes straight from the Supreme Court's Hazelwood ruling.

Board President Judi Bosworth spoke of ''confidence'' in the students, and she assured that ''it is not the intent of the board of education to get involved,'' but ''to set up rules of good journalism ... formalize what is happening in the schools.''

Mr. Gross suggested that, in the third paragraph, the sentence ''Expressions of personal opinion must be clearly identified as such, and bear the name of the author,'' might be a separate paragraph, as it does not really ''comport'' with the subject matter in paragraph three.

Ms. Berkowitz reported that a suggestion had come asking that ''pornography'' be added to the list of materials not permitted for publication. And, as well, there was a suggestion that the publication manuals be available for public review in the Great Neck Library, as well as in the school libraries.

One student delegate to the board reported that many of the students are happy with this proposed policy, finding it much more acceptable than originally anticipated. However, she did note that some of the students do feel that the policy restrictions are too ''open-ended.''

Steven Hertzberg, father of Ted Hertzberg, a 2000 graduate and last year's Southerner editor, had spoken out against an earlier draft. This draft, he said, has a lack of definitions.

When parent Liz Wissner-Gross questioned the subject of ''conflict of interest'' when a student writes about a group or team he or she is a part of, Southerner advisor Norman Wheeler said that there are no problems with such scenarios. ''It just doesn't happen ... it could, but it doesn't,'' he said.

At the end of the discussion, Ms. Berkowitz reminded everyone that not only will there be further readings of this policy, but even when the policy is adopted, there are always amendments possible for the future.

Dr. Shine said that anyone wishing to write to the board of education policy committee can send their comments to Barbara Berkowitz or Dr. Andrea Rosen at the Phipps Administration Building at 345 Lakeville Road in Lake Success.

Also at this meeting, the board had a first reading of the policy on comprehensive public school safety program, as mandated by state law, and the board approved elimination of redundant and obsolete policies.