Randolph schools declared 'underperforming'

By James Vaznis, Globe Staff

The state Board of Education today declared Randolph an "underperforming" school district -- over the objections of Randolph officials -- setting into motion a potential state takeover of the beleaguered system.

Randolph, suffering from massive budget cuts and declining student achievement, joins just three other districts in the state -- Holyoke, Winchendon, and Southbridge -- deemed underperforming. The state has been working in partnership with those districts, rather than taking them over.

"In my view, the social compact has broken down in this community," state education board Chairman Paul Reville said before the Randolph vote, later adding, "There is ample evidence the school financial system is fraying at the edges."

Randolph school officials pleaded with the board, saying they feared the "underperforming" label would undermine the public's confidence in school leaders and cast students in a negative light. But they acknowledged the district's problems.

"We knew this day was coming. We are not surprised by it at all. We hit this iceberg four or five years ago due to funding. There is no masking the fact we have had to make massive massive cuts," said School Committee Chairman Larry Azer.

The vote triggers a 90-day process to evaluate whether Randolph officials are capable of turning around the district of 3,600 students or whether the state will have to place it in receivership. The latter move would enable the state to appoint its own leadership team and oversee all finances.

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