Meet Chris| Chris Shepley for School Committee

I am proud to be a son of Andover, with deep family roots in this community. Over 50 years ago, my grandparents, Ernie and Barbara Perry, settled in their home on Dascomb Road, where they raised seven children and became cherished members of our town. Their commitment to family, education, and community has had a lasting impact on Andover and has shaped my values today. Growing up in this community, I benefitted from our excellent public school system, starting at West Elementary, continuing to West Middle School, and graduating from Andover High School in 2024.

I discovered my passion for public service after taking a Civics class at Andover High School. My journey began at my first Town Meeting in November 2023. I spoke out against the proposed AHS building project, which I believed would negatively impact our town finances. That same month, Andover faced an unprecedented teachers' strike after the School Committee failed to negotiate a contract for months. These experiences motivated me to run for a seat on the School Committee in the 2024 town election as a high school senior. As a first-time candidate, I was proud to secure over 1,300 votes.

Since then, I have actively engaged with our Andover Public Schools community. By attending School Committee meetings and keeping residents informed about APS developments, I have established myself as a dedicated advocate for transparency, fiscal responsibility, and academic excellence. This next election will be crucial for our town's future, and I look forward to earning your support. As we look ahead, I am excited about the potential for positive change in our schools. Together, we can make a lasting impact for generations to come.