For the first time in many years the Kamloops Thompson School District is breathing a sigh of relief as it looks at its annual budget.

The annual budget rings in at just under $182 million and School Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk says this year is a breath of fresh air with the focus on additions not on what to chop.

“This is the first year in ages where our budget has not been focused on cuts. We have actually had, with increasing student numbers, able to actually invest a little bit more money into the school system. We are hiring a new school and family consultant, focusing more on student mental health, and hiring a part time healthy relationships coordinator.”

Karpuk says the district is investing in mental health supports for students.

“When we survey our students in the ‘tell it for me’ survey that we have they are reporting increasing levels of anxiety and stress. There is definitely a concern with students. We are having more incidences of drug and alcohol addiction. We are concerned vaping is also leading to higher levels of addiction.”

And with surging enrollment Karpuk says once again the district will also be looking to hire more teachers.