Gay and lesbian students in Anne Arundel County won greater protection from the school board yesterday, and school system officials said they were stepping up efforts to address the needs of those students.

The school board unanimously approved a policy that protects students from harassment and employees from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation. Anne Arundel becomes at least the third Maryland county to adopt such a policy.

Howard and Montgomery counties have similar policies. And the State Board of Education is to vote this month on a policy that would prohibit harassment of gay and lesbian students statewide.

"You'd have to be blind not to understand and acknowledge that throughout our society there are some folks who have prejudices regarding sexual orientation," said Anne Arundel interim Superintendent Kenneth P. Lawson. "No egregious incidents [in schools] have come to my attention, but common sense tells you this is an issue we deal with."

The school board passed the policy without comment yesterday. It calls for officials to take disciplinary action against those who harass gay students and guarantees them equal access to school programs and activities.

Already, several county high schools have support groups for gay students. One, at North County High in Glen Burnie, formed last fall after some students approached a guidance counselor who had put gay-friendly signs - such as a rainbow sticker - on her office door.

That group has about a dozen members and meets weekly during the school day, said Diane Finch, the school system's guidance coordinator. She will be working this summer to identify at least one counselor at each high school who will make an effort to help gay students. Those counselors will also receive training, she said.

"We are going to ensure that we have the support they [gay students] need to come to school, to feel safe, to access their educational opportunities and to work through who they are without judgment, condemnation or fear," Finch said.

Also yesterday, the school board hired a new superintendent. Eric J. Smith, who heads the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system in North Carolina, was unanimously appointed Anne Arundel County's 16th superintendent. He will start July 1.

Smith, 52, will be paid an annual salary of $197,000, plus about $100,000 in benefits and bonuses to run the 75,000-student school system. Board members were thrilled they were able to hire Smith, who has gained national recognition for helping to raise test scores and close the achievement gap between minority and white children.

"We have been truly blessed," said board member Vaughn Brown. "Maybe we surprised a few folks who weren't anticipating us going out and finding someone with the credentials of Dr. Smith."

Board member Joseph H. Foster, who led the search for a superintendent, made the motion to hire Smith. The other seven members of the board took the unusual step of jointly seconding the motion, which passed to cheers and applause.

"This is a fantastic result," said board president Carlesa R. Finney. She praised Lawson for his work as interim chief during the past six months and for his lifelong commitment to the school system.

A product of Anne Arundel schools, Lawson has worked as a teacher and administrator in the school system for 32 years. Lawson, who had applied for the superintendent's post, praised Smith. "This really is Dr. Smith's moment in the sun," Lawson said. "I think the board has made a wonderful selection. This is a man who knows instruction and wants young people to meet their potential."

Smith succeeds Carol S. Parham, who retired in December after 8 1/2 years as superintendent to become a professor at the University of Maryland, College Park.

In a busy meeting yesterday, the school board approved the promotion and transfer of 62 school administrators. These moves included the appointment of 15 elementary school principals and four middle school principals. Among the principal transfers, Rocco Ferretti at Bodkin Elementary was moved to Central Elementary and Mary Grande at Ferndale Elementary was moved to West Meade Elementary.

And, the board made it tougher for middle school pupils to move on to the next grade. While pupils must pass three of the four core subjects to be promoted, they will be held back if they fail the same subject two years in a row.