News Archives

Campaign 2013

Hingham Republican Town Committee Forum — Watch the video here.

League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night — Watch the video here.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #1 — What would you say to the group, dubbed Citizens for a Balanced Field Project, who want to see the current HHS fields proposal scaled back? 

Ray’s response: While every citizen may absolutely question the appropriateness and cost of projects that seek to utilize taxpayer dollars, I believe those who oppose a recommendation reached after a thorough and transparent review and instead favor an 11^th hour alternative have a responsibility to ensure that any such alternative approach meets the needs the project seeks to address.  The alternative proposal suggests we need field seating for only 1,000 spectators when we currently seat over 1,900.  Portable bleachers will not provide an improved facility and will yield additional maintenance and operating costs.  There is no guarantee any seating reduction will garner a further reduction in required toilet fixtures in a smaller amenities building.  The key difference in the alternative proposal, which is priced only marginally below the School Committee’s plan, is the absence of field lighting, which is no longer an amenity but rather necessary to ensure competitive equity and enhanced playing opportunities for our athletes.

As an elected official, I must respect and represent the will and concerns voiced by all my constituents, considering each opinion on balance and in perspective.  In 2011, 87% of Town Meeting participants voted to support the development of a plan to address the poor conditions of our athletic facilities adjacent to the high school.  The School Committee has followed that mandate and offers the only realistic solution to the problem at a cost the Town can afford.  Moreover, private fundraising efforts promise to reduce the town’s financial burden—something the alternative proposal cannot deliver.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #2 — The taxpayers have invested millions of dollars in new or renovated school buildings, yet the perception out there is the buildings are just for the kids and are only open during the school year. Wh[at] type of programs could you propose to allow senior citizens and others to benefit from the school facilities? 

Ray’s response: I’m not aware that perception exists, but if it does, we need to work to dispel such thinking and increase community awareness of the longstanding programs and opportunities that already exist for adults.  Hingham boasts a robust continuing education program directed by former administrator Dr. Peter Lincoln, which offers two semesters of varied classes and activities typically held in the evening at the high school.  Students of all ages are welcome and discounted rates are offered for seniors.  Brochures are mailed out in the fall and winter to all residents and detailed information is available at www.hinghamschools.com.  Additionally, any individual or group may apply for a permit to use any school facility or field, subject to availability.  Permitting is coordinated through the office of the Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds.  Although summer is when we deep clean our school buildings and perform necessary maintenance and improvements to prepare for the new school year, the facilities remain available throughout those months depending on other use and custodial scheduling.  By no means are school facilities limited to use by children.  While our youth has historically dominated facility use because of the number of programs and population of participants, that reality has never precluded use by other Hingham citizens.  The school buildings and properties are, after all, community assets that the School Committee is required and pleased to make available to the residents of Hingham, and we encourage all Hingham citizens to take full advantage of all existing opportunities.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #3 — Many towns cannot offer full-day Kindergarten without charging tuition due to budget constraints. Do you think Hingham should offer the option of full-day Kindergarten to families even if it is tuition-based?

Ray’s response: I spoke publicly about full-day Kindergarten more than three years ago. By that time, the School Committee had commissioned two studies on the issue, in 2000 and in 2008, with the latter resulting in a recommendation to include an all-day program beginning in 2009. With the opening of East Elementary and associated budget cuts, full-day Kindergarten was an early funding casualty. Offering a full-day Kindergarten program is essential for several reasons. First, we are in a minority (about 17%) of Massachusetts districts that don’t. Second, children are learning earlier and faster than ever and 2 ½ hours per day is simply not enough. Finally, with so many families choosing private full-day Kindergarten programs, our first grade consistently sees an enrollment jump, which requires additional resources.

Fees are a reality in public education. We charge them for athletics at the high school and activities at the middle school. But fees are not the answer to every funding dilemma. A fee-based program would be wrong for Hingham because it would discriminate against those who cannot afford to participate. If Hingham provides a program for the general population of Kindergarten-aged children, we must enable every eligible child to attend.  If fee-based Kindergarten is to be examined as a truly viable alternative to bring Hingham in line with so many other towns, the cost should be assessed to all residents in the same manner as all other educational needs. This is an important issue that I look forward to revisiting in my second term.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #4 — The perception is that there is little debate among the seven members of the School Committee.  Since the voters elect you as individuals and not as a group, shouldn’t they expect robust debate on the issues and not a school board that appears to be in unanimous agreement so much of the time? 

Ray’s response: I have to admit I am a bit perplexed by this question.  It suggests that the only way the School Committee can show it is doing its job is for its members to disagree with one another, regardless of whether good reason exists.  How is disagreement for disagreement’s sake good thing?  How does it serve citizens who have shown faith and trust with their vote?  Recent news accounts about the Marblehead School Committee reveal that a bickering, antagonistic board is nothing but dysfunctional, and undermines the electorate’s choice and inhibits effectiveness. 

The current School Committee members do not always agree, but we strive to seek consensus on issues.  In fact, there have been a number of votes taken this year that did not reflect a unanimous position, including a vote in connection with the budget, but in the end, we were able to come to agreement to get something done.  I, myself, abstained from a recent vote with which I was not completely comfortable.  We have varying opinions about approach and our styles are diverse and that is a good thing.  What is not good, and what can be distracting and destructive, is a committee that cannot find common ground on matters of import.  Consensus building should not be perceived as a negative but rather applauded.  Working together to accomplish a goal, even when disagreement exists, is an admirable aspiration and one that the current School Committee fulfills for the benefit of Hingham’s students.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #5 — Are schools the right place to tackle substance abuse among teens, including drug sweeps at HHS with lock downs and police dogs, and is there enough communication with parents and the community about the issue?

Ray’s response:  Hingham is not immune to the social challenges that affect cities and towns across the country.  The use and abuse of illegal substances by our youth is a growing problem that we must combat head on.  As educators, we have an obligation to deter substance abuse and provide a safe learning environment for our students while fostering personal and civic responsibility as well as physical and emotional well-being.  These imperatives are at the core of our district mission and require vigilance both in and outside our schools.  We have curriculum components including Steps to Respect and Second Step at the elementary level, DARE at the middle school, and secondary health classes that focus on substance abuse and avoidance.

Drug sweeps, breathalyzers, and lock downs are other tools we utilize.  These cooperative efforts occur infrequently and provide the advantage needed to keep offenders in check.  Parents are informed immediately after these events and follow-up inquiry is encouraged and acknowledged.  We have a large and very active SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter at the high school, welcome speakers and other informational programs, and enjoy the assignment of two HPD officers to our schools.

To succeed, the entire community must participate.  Superintendent Galo and Chief Peraino co-chair a policy task force named HOUSE (Hingham’s Organization for Underage Substance Education) that includes parents, teachers, administrators, HPD officers, clergy, and students, which supports our SADD students’ many efforts to increase awareness of issues, deter substance abuse, and offer alternative activities to our kids.

Campaign 2010

Ray Estes Launches Campaign– Hingham Journal.  View announcement here.

League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night — Watch the video here.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #1 — There seems to be two main budgets in town:  the School Committee’s and the General Government’s.  This year in particular the divide between the two budgets and the two boards — Selectmen and School Committee — appears to have widened.  How can both boards better work toward healing the budgetary wounds and coming together with a common goal?  Read Ray’s response here.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #2 — Teacher salaries make up about 80 percent of the school budget.  How can Hingham schools live within the constraints of Prop. 2-1/2 when teacher contracts usually include cost-of-living increases plus step and column increases that can exceed 2-1/2 percent annually?  Read Ray’s response here.

Hingham Journal Question of the Week #3 — What steps will you take to make sure fiscal constraints don’t take a toll on the maintenance budget that protects the town’s schools and school department playing fields?  Read Ray’s response here.