Just like every other school district in B.C., the Kamloops-Thompson School District had a lot to deal with in 2020, but the head of the board is looking ahead with optimism.

Board chair Rhonda Kershaw says despite dealing with so much last year, including the onset of the pandemic to trying to safely get kids back into class, there is reason to be positive.

“And so we just have to look at the positives and start 2021 with a really positive attitude and like you said vaccines are coming, hopefully we will get back to some sense of life as normal and we’ll just keep working towards our goals which is the best education for students,” she says.

“It’s been a challenge but I’ve got a great board. We have great staff in the district. So, really when you list it all off, and don’t forget that we started last year with a fire in a school,” she says, referencing the fire at Parkcrest Elementary in September of 2019.

“So it’s been a run, but really we’re coming out of it working together and it could be so much worse.”

Kershaw was elected as interim board chair in early summer before being acclaimed to the position in November.