Education and Professional Experience
Bob considers education the foundation for the future. His own education is no exception. Raised in Ashby, Massachusetts, Bob attended local public schools and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics / Education from the University of Maine, a Master of Education from Fitchburg State College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in School Administration from Boston University. He applied this formal training in the local public school system. Bob became a math teacher for 8 years and then moved into public school administration. He served for 25 years as an assistant principal and principal at the middle and high school level.
Bob later served four years as labor relations specialist for the state agency known at that time as the Department of Mental Retardation. This experience helped Bob realize the importance of bridging state and local services for families with special needs. .
Community Service
Bob Hargraves has a long and distinguished history of public service. He served as Groton's Town Moderator for six years prior to serving on the Groton Board of Selectmen for 16 years. He also served as a member of Groton's Commission for the Handicapped for 18 years.
In addition to these government positions, Bob was a member of Rotary International for 11 years, and he was privilieged to serve on the Nashoba Community Hospital Fundraising Committee for seven years.
Family
Bob has been married to his wife, Ellen, for over 47 years. Together, they raised two daughters and a son in Groton.
Bob and Ellen are now proud grandparents to three grandsons and six granddaughters.
Legislative Committees
Bob Hargraves is the very definition of a hard-working, effective legislator. He is currently the second Ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Way & Means.. This committee bears responsibility for the Commonwealth's annual budget.
Throughout his 16-year legislative career, Bob has also served on the
- Education Committee
- House Federal Financial Assistance Committee
- House Committee on State Administration
- Joint Committee on Public Health
- House Committee on Healthcare Finance
- House Committee on Long-Term Debt
- House Committee on Rules
- Special Commission on Retirement Reform
- Special Education Study Commission
- Special Commission on School Building Assistance
The last two assignments positioned Bob to directly assist the public schools of our community.