The only exception was when the budget was cut to $28.46 million in 2003-04.

The budget would stay at $29.17 million if an override vote set for Tuesday doesn’t pass, and cuts would be required to cover pay raises and higher special education costs.

Silverman said 100 more courses were taught at the high school five years ago than are being taught now. There were 1,100 individual classes being taught each week – now there are only 530.

Nearly the entire foreign language program has been cut, Silverman said. The district has 27 fewer elementary school classes now, no reading specialists, and no remedial programs anywhere. Overall, the district lost 45 classroom teaching positions along with other specialty positions.

“These services are not being cut to the schools, they’re being cut to kids,” Silverman said.

As student services have been cut, teachers have left for greener pastures, even though the average salary for teachers in Randolph, at $56,382 according to the state Department of Education, isn’t out of step with neighboring towns.

“We’ve replaced our entire science department in the high school over the last three years,” Silverman said. “The great majority of people have left because they can get a position with more materials and supplies.”

Students have also been leaving. In the past five years, enrollment in the Randolph schools has dropped more than 16 percent at a time when state-wide enrollments have been stable. The Oct. 1 enrollment of 3,449 students represents a drop of 183 students – or 5 percent – from the 2005 figure.

Here’s how schools would spend their share of the override:

Pay raises: $1,246,059.

Special education tuitions: 1,283,010.

Textbooks and instructional materials: $426,001.

Special education transportation: $338, 418.

Utility price hikes: $85,706

Psychological contracted services: $80,460.

Student transportation: $73,262.

Other expenses: $139,289.

The total is higher than the $3.07 million included for schools on the ballot. The school committee must find $600,000 in reductions, from either the request or the budget, after selectmen cut the override amount. School officials are looking at closing a school, redistricting students, and cutting transportation to make up the difference.

Proposed cuts if the school budget remains at $29.17 million:

Eliminate 32 teaching jobs, including 17 in the elementary schools, six at the middle school, five at the high school, two school librarians. Savings: $1,626,331.

Eliminate student athletics and activities. Savings: $488,609.

Eliminate 11 support positions, from the school attendance officer to clerical and custodial positions. Savings: $226,934.

Reduce supplies and services. Savings: $202, 116.

Eliminate two administrative positions, reduce two others. Savings: $181,600.

Cut in half budget for new texts and other curriculum materials. Savings: $179,019.

Reduce three school nurses from full-time to part-time. Savings: $172,684.

Reduce curriculum development costs. Savings: $139,131.

Eliminate extra teacher duties and summer remedial program: $91,180.

Close or rent Tower Hill School, close or receive payment for pool at Randolph High School. Savings: $45,000.

Use grant money to cover the cost of three positions: Savings: $43, 122.

Fred Hanson may be reached at fhanson@ledger.com.