Table of Contents
Preferred contact method:
leighschopp@gmail.com
What experiences and perspectives would you contribute to Town Meeting?
As a Town Meeting Member, I will draw on my education in Political Science and Public Administration, my experience working in local and county government and nonprofit organizations, and the perspective I’ve gained as a mom, community volunteer, and homeowner. Together, these experiences give me a well-rounded understanding of both policy and the real-life needs of families in our community.
What are two or three issues facing Winchester that you think are most important and what are your positions on them?
In my view, the top two issues in Winchester are sustaining strong funding for our schools and ensuring that families and long-time residents alike receive meaningful value for their tax dollars.
*SCHOOLS:
As a member of Town Meeting, I will advocate for continued, responsible investment in our public schools. Winchester has a long and proud history of prioritizing education, and our school system is one of the community’s greatest strengths.
At a time when costs are rising across the board and difficult budget decisions must be made, we cannot afford to lose focus on what makes Winchester exceptional. Sustaining excellence requires thoughtful, forward-looking investment.
To me, that means maintaining and improving our school facilities so they are safe, modern, and well-equipped for learning. It means providing competitive funding to attract and retain outstanding teachers and support staff while keeping class sizes at levels that allow students to thrive. And it means committing to evidence-based best practices, including thoughtful curriculum alignment across the district to ensure consistency, rigor, and strong outcomes for every student.
Strong schools are not just a line item in the budget—they are central to our community’s success and long-term vitality.
*VALUE FOR TAX DOLLARS:
Winchester is not a low-cost alternative to surrounding communities—and families aren’t moving here because it’s inexpensive. They’re choosing Winchester for our two commuter rail stations, our outstanding public schools, and our vibrant, walkable downtown filled with wonderful local businesses and restaurants.
Those benefits are real—but they come at a high cost.
With relatively high state and local taxes and a limited commercial tax base, we must be thoughtful and disciplined in how we manage town finances. That means working diligently to increase revenue where appropriate, reduce unnecessary costs, and identify creative ways to improve efficiency and streamline operations across departments.
As Select Board Member Bill McGonigle has said, Winchester has been “penny wise and pound foolish.” While we are fortunate to maintain a AAA bond rating—a testament to strong fiscal management—we have also deferred necessary investments for too long. Delaying critical spending, particularly on capital projects, does not eliminate the need; it often turns manageable projects into costly emergencies, especially in an environment of rising construction and labor costs.
At the end of the day, residents should feel confident that their tax dollars are being used responsibly and strategically—and that they are receiving strong value for the significant investment it takes to live in this community.
What is a special challenge in your precinct that might not be faced in other precincts?
My primary concern in Precinct 4 is road, sidewalk, and crosswalk safety—particularly along Highland Avenue and around the Symmes Corner traffic circle.
Throughout much of the precinct, we have uneven sidewalks and curbs that create real accessibility challenges for parents with strollers, seniors, and residents with mobility needs. Several major intersections—including some with limited visibility around turns—lack clearly marked crosswalks, putting pedestrians at risk.
In addition, speeding on Highland Avenue is a persistent concern. While I understand that traditional speed bumps can create challenges for emergency vehicles that rely on Highland as a key route, I believe we should actively explore alternative traffic-calming strategies that improve safety without compromising emergency response times.
I am committed to working collaboratively with town officials, public safety leaders, and residents to identify practical solutions that make Highland Avenue, Symmes Corner, and other high-traffic areas around town safer for everyone.
Why should voters elect you to represent them?
I am running for Town Meeting because I care deeply about Winchester and the people and families who live and work here. As a mom, community volunteer and homeowner, I see every day what works well for our town and areas where we can do better. You can count on me to be a leader who listens, collaborates, and supports creative, common sense solutions that will strengthen our schools and deliver strong value for your tax dollars.
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