Four candidates will vie for two seats on the Cascade School Board in the upcoming Nov. 4 election.
Brad Dillon, a licensed land surveyor, is seeking election to a seat currently held by Karen Thurston, who chairs the school board and has served on it for 35 years.
Meanwhile, North Fork Automotive owner Patrick Pratchett is challenging for a seat held by Kathy Hull, who owns Cascade Auto.
The candidate with the most votes in each race will be elected to a four-year term on the five-member board, which is responsible for shaping school policy, setting annual budgets, and hiring district leadership.
Early voting is open at the Valley County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 31. On Election Day, residents of the school district can cast ballots at Idaho First Bank in McCall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voter registration will be available at the polls with current proof of residence and photo ID.
Valley Lookout sent a list of questions to each candidate regarding their candidacy. Their exact responses are published below.
The questions posed to each candidate were identical, except for differences based on whether the candidate is an incumbent or a challenger.
Zone 3 Race – Kathy Hull vs. Patrick Pratchett
Why are you seeking election to the Cascade School Board?
Hull: Cascade School District has provided 4 generations of my family, including myself, with wonderful education and school experience and I want to help continue to see that provided to the current and future youth of Cascade. It takes time to learn and understand the inner workings of any board. I have gained that knowledge while serving my current 4-year term on school board and feel I have more knowledge moving forward as a board member.
Pratchett: I have four kids in the Cascade School. They range from enrollment in Kindergarten to High School and I would like to be a part of the School District’s direction and planning for them and their peers.
What would you like to change about the current school board’s governance?
Pratchett: I would bring transparency to the decision-making process. I believe that trustees should indicate the reasons for decisions that are made. Not everyone will agree on all decisions, but if a board is willing to publicly give reasons, it instills greater trust between them and the community.
Are there specific decisions made over the last four years that you would’ve handled differently if you were on the board? If so, please briefly describe.
Pratchett: I cannot provide an example of a specific “board decision” that was made that I would have handled differently.
Do you have any specific goals you would like the district to achieve over the next four years? If so, please be specific and briefly describe how you might achieve them.
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Hull: Continue to build a culture and environment that retains administration, teaching staff and students.
Pratchett: I would like to develop a robust career technical education program. This will not be an overnight process and will likely take four years to plan and implement. But small improvements are possible each year by partnering with the community. The ultimate end goal would be a facility with subject matter experts educating the students with real hands-on experience and training. I believe that funds to achieve this goal are possible without additional taxpayer burden through strategic planning, grants, and outreach to industry. There is a significant shortage and a predicted shortage of skilled workers. The industries needing a future workforce are willing to invest in that future. Additionally, by partnering with local businesses, students can potentially earn credit while gaining experience.
What are you proud of from your most recent term on the board?
Hull: I am proud of our administration, staff, students, and community that never gave up. Worked tirelessly to bring us back from the title of an underperforming school to an institution that others are looking to duplicate.
What are a few failures or challenges the board has faced during the last four years, and how have those better equipped you to serve the district moving forward?
Hull: Cascade School District, like so many in the nation, has struggled to keep school leadership in place. They all helped accomplish wonderful things for the district, yet chose to move on to different endeavors. I am excited about our new leaders and believe we have learned our district can weather these storms successfully when we all work together.
What should voters know about you before casting their vote?
Hull: I am passionate about our school and community being successful for generations to come. My history brings knowledge of past successes and failures as well as changes we have seen. I feel this is valuable in decision making as we grow as a District.
Pratchett: I give gratitude to those who have served on the board; it is not an easy task. I think each person serves because they want to help and they have the best interest of the students in mind; however, not everyone who serves has the same ideas or philosophy. A five-member board brings the strength of multiple perspectives. I believe that I am someone who is able to work well with others, reach across the aisle, remain objective, and serve the community’s desires.
Please provide your age, occupation, number of years living in the district, and experiences that you believe make you a qualified school board candidate.
Hull: 44, Owner/Operator of Cascade Auto, Inc., 44 years in the Cascade School District
Previous government experience: 3 years Cascade City P&Z, 5 years Cascade City Council, 5 years Cascade School Board
Clubs, organizations, other activities: Cascade Chamber of Commerce, Cascade Medical Center Auxiliary, West Mountain Snowmobile Club, IHSAA Parent Advisory Committee, Cascade School Reunion Committee, Cascade PTO
Pratchett: Age: 42 years old
Employment: Self-employed @ North Fork Automotive, LLC.
12 years living in the district and prior experience serving as a board member for the Southern Valley County Recreation District.
Anything else not covered in the questions above?
Hull: No response.
Pratchett: No response.
Zone 4 Race – Karen Thurston vs. Brad Dillon
Why are you seeking election to the Cascade School Board?
Thurston: I have been a part of the Cascade School Board for over 30 years. I am passionate about seeing that our youth get a great education and be ready to join the world outside of the Cascade School district. I would like to continue on that journey to see our young people succeed.
Dillon: I am seeking election to the Cascade School Board because I believe robust schools are essential for the future of our children and community. With over 16 years of government experience with the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, forging partnerships to support local economies through land management, I am committed to establishing a strong framework that uplifts students, educators, and families, crafting a vision rooted in our rural conservative principles.
What would you like to change about the current school board’s governance?
Dillon: I deeply respect the volunteer service that has built a solid foundation for our district. However, I would like to see a renewed focus in governance to better reflect the evolving needs of today’s families and students, including streamlining procedures, integrating more family input, and prioritizing practical education over external influences, ensuring it remains responsive and community-driven with a fresh vision.
Are there specific decisions made over the last four years that you would’ve handled differently if you were on the board? If so, please briefly describe.
Dillon: Early in 2023, regarding Policy 3281, there was an opportunity for board members to align with the majority community sentiment, but this did not occur, with some rationales suggesting a disconnect from community priorities. I believe prioritizing community input is essential and should be practically integrated, regardless of underlying considerations.
(Editor’s note: Policy 3281 refers to a gender identity and sexual orientation policy that the school board revoked in 2023.)
Do you have any specific goals you would like the district to achieve over the next four years? If so, please be specific and briefly describe how you might achieve them.
Thurston: Finding a way to strengthen communication with the community. This is an ongoing issue and a difficult one to overcome. Trying to keep the community informed about everything happening at the district has always been a challenge.
Dillon: Yes, I aim to enhance vocational training and college preparation programs while fostering stronger communication between the board, families, and staff. I would achieve this by collaborating with local businesses and educational partners to develop practical training initiatives, securing innovative funding through strategic planning, and soliciting input from the community to ensure family input shapes these programs, all while building on the foundation laid by current board members.
What are you proud of from your most recent term on the board?
Thurston: No response.
What are a few failures or challenges the board has faced during the last four years, and how have those better equipped you to serve the district moving forward?
Thurston: Being a very small school district, we face the challenge of finding and keeping quality educators and leaders. Cascade has had a lot of turnover in the past several years. This year found the district replacing the Superintendent, Principal, Special Education Director, Athletic Director, High School Math Teacher and Community School Coordinator. With all the positions to be hired and new employees added to the 2025-2026 school year, I felt that also adding new board members might put the district at more of a disadvantage.
What should voters know about you before casting their vote?
Thurston: I have been a part of the Cascade School Board for over 30 years. I have been passionate about seeing that our youth get a great education and be ready to join the world outside of the Cascade School District. I would like to continue on that journey to see our young people succeed.
Dillon: Voters should know I am a dedicated family man and problem-solver with a proven track record. My commitment to personal liberties, local control, and education focus reflects my alignment with Cascade’s values. I bring practical leadership from managing complex projects in land surveying to serve our district effectively.
Please provide your age, occupation, number of years living in the district, and experiences that you believe make you a qualified school board candidate.
Thurston: I am 61 years old, have lived in Cascade since 1979 (46 years). I have served on the Cascade School board for 35 years.
Dillon: I am 38 years old, a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor and Engineer in Training, and have lived in the Cascade district for 3 years and over 7 years in Idaho. My qualifications stem from over 16 years with the Bureau of Land Management, managing large complex projects and fostering community partnerships, alongside active involvement in local youth events, equipping me to lead with strategic insight and community focus.
Anything else not covered in the questions above?
Thurston: No response.
Dillon: My upbringing in rural Michigan and experience leading diverse teams across multiple states have shaped my dedication to Cascade and my ability to objectively evaluate all options while seeking varied perspectives. This approach drives my resolve to combat complacency, ensuring safe, disciplined schools that honor our heritage, empower students with diverse vocational and college paths, and deliver a forward-looking vision that builds on the past while addressing today’s challenges.
