“Our school system is sick,” said Chairman Larry Azer at last night’s school committee meeting. “Some might even say the condition is terminal, or that it is on life support. Those of us sitting up here are not blind to those sentiments. We know there are serious and critical issues. We even have second, third and fourth opinions from outside agencies that confirm this diagnosis.”

The school committee faces the task of cutting $3.6 million from its proposed budget, following the defeat of a $4.16 million Proposition 2½ override in Tuesday’s town election.

The best-case scenario for the school budget is remaining at $29.17 million for the fourth year in a row. Funding for the school system would continue to be less than what it received in the 2002-03 school year.

The school system needed the $3.6 million for contractual pay raises and other cost increases to maintain current programs, and would have received $3.07 million from the override.

To meet those costs, school administrators have recommended cutting nearly 50 jobs, or roughly 10 percent of the system’s employees; eliminating extra-curricular activities and sports programs; and possibly closing a school.

Azer said the committee faces a decision on how to treat its condition.

“Are we just going to sit by idly, making the patient as comfortable as possible in its final, dying days, administering pain medication as the hours and days pass by. Or, will we instead choose a creative, aggressive and perhaps even radical approach. The choice is ours to make,” Azer said.

Superintendent of Schools Richard Silverman said he was disappointed by Tuesday’s vote.

“We’re also cognizant of the fact that we have 3,400 students whose needs must be met,” Silverman said.

That task “will be much more difficult” without the money.

Silverman thanked override supporters for their hard work, and urged them to continue.

“The effort for next year has to begin now. Don’t give up, because we’re not going to give up,” the superintendent said.

Kathy Haire, the leader of the pro-override group Support a Future for Randolph, urged committee members “to do what’s best for those who can’t vote, all those children and young adults” in the school system.

Marcia Israel, a teacher at Kennedy Elementary School and a parent of a Randolph High School student, said she has heard from parents seeking to enroll their children in private schools.

The school committee did not take any budget votes last night. Azer said the board’s budget subcommittee will meet Thursday night to hear what revisions the school administration has made in budget-cutting proposals. The school committee will act on the proposals April 12.

Azer said committee members have been flooded with e-mails from residents asking to save programs, particularly sports and extra-curricular activities.

“None of us want to cut anything,” Azer said. “The bottom line with the budget is that it has to balance.

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