To my friends and community,

January 22, 2024 was my last day on the Cascade School Board. As many of you know, last summer we discovered that my wife, Cassie, had a recurrence of the cancer she experienced 9 years ago. While initially expected to be a shorter, and less intensive treatment plan, unfortunately that is not how this chapter of life is being written. With the newest knowledge that a likely end for treatment is March 2025, it became apparent that my full attention would be needed at home with Cassie and Melanie. While difficult, this decision comes with a great sense of peace for the time, focus, and energy that I can now fully dedicate to my family.

I joined the Cascade School Board in November 2019 as an appointee, and was then elected to continue serving in November of 2021. It began what became a wonderful period of public service. Since that time, I had the privilege of serving on the boards of Upper Valley MEND, Leavenworth Young Life, as well as other various positions like the PUD Building Advisory Committee. I also had a four year tenure on the Board of Equalization for Chelan County.

With the Cascade School Board came further opportunities to engage in both the local community and state legislation. For the last year I represented the school district on the Parks and Recreation Service District Board. I also served as the Legislative Representative for our school board, then additionally joined the Legislative Committee for the Washington State School Directors Association. It was here that I got to work with other school directors across the state, advocating for positive legislation around education in Washington.

With last night's meeting concluded, it completed the final stage of bringing these special opportunities to a necessary close. We all have different things that engage us, make us wake up with excitement, or help us fulfill a desired direction for our life. I have found serving the community invokes all these things for me. All those hours spent in meetings, pouring over budgets, and planning for the future are now some of my favorite memories. I also feel a great sense of gratitude for those family, friends, teachers, and community members that went before me, and will continue after.

I will miss the amazing team I had the privilege to work with at the Cascade School District. I know that we accomplished some great things in our time together, and that the next person to fill my seat will find a wonderful group of people to work with. After all, one of the best things about public service is its reliance on new citizens stepping up. To sit on a board is to be a temporary steward of the position, to serve that organization to the best of your ability, and hopefully leave it better than you found it. I know there are many great people in our community that will do excellent work representing District 3.

Grateful for the opportunity to serve ~ Zachary