BOSTON -- The school committee in Mansfield has voted to eliminate all high school sports to help close a $1.8 million budget gap.

The cuts also include the elimination of all after-school music, drama and club activities and the layoffs of seven teaching positions and one guidance counselor at Mansfield High School, five middle school teachers and five elementary school teachers.

The cuts were announced at a budget forum Wednesday night.

"I was surprised, especially here at Mansfield High School," one student said.

"I still can't believe it. This would change the town without sports," another student said.

School officials said the move to cut sports could be the first of its kind in the country. The cuts would start on June 30.

"Our problem is that there is not enough revenue for all the expenses," Superintendent Brenda J. Hodges said.

The school superintendent called it reality. Without a proposition 2½ override, she said the programs cannot be afforded.

"We received about $2.5 million in stimulus money last year to get by then. We knew this was coming," Hodges said.

The prospect of raising taxes to pay for school programs has divided the town. If the drastic budget cuts hold, Mansfield will have the distinction as the only school system in the state to eliminate its entire athletic program, and the cuts don't end there.

"There is no person who loves sports, music and drama more than me, but if you want to get in to college, try to get into college without a math course on your resume. That's what we are facing tonight," Hodges said.

Parents let school officials have it at a packed meeting Wednesday night.

When the meeting got contentious, Nancy Fullerton had to be escorted out.

"As soon as they make these cuts in sports, drama and arts and all extra-curricular activities, our property values will go way down," Fullerton said.

"A lot of people can't afford it. There are a lot of elderly who cant afford it, a lot of people don't have jobs. I myself don't have a job. I work out of the house, but it's not like it used to be," John Demarco said.

The school department has a Friday deadline to get the final budget in line. School officials said working with the other town officials may come up with the money to restore sports and the other programs for a short-term fix that only postpones the pain.