An undisclosed number of Great Neck North High School students faced disciplinary action for an “irresponsible prank,” according to the district superintendent.
They allegedly allowed two outside students to slip into their building, according to a school letter sent to parents last week. The intruders were also warned about trespassing by the Nassau County police.
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. Some went as far as to distract security to facilitate the breach, according to a letter sent by school 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. It ended with calls to Nassau police who responded and issued trespass orders, according to the letter. The teenagers’ schools were also notified.
“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 said in the letter.
“It is essential to convey that at no time were students or staff in danger,” Bossert wrote, adding that they did not enter classrooms.
In an email, Bossert told Newsday he could not reveal 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 are.
The district said in the letter it is reviewing its security protocols.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.