PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — The Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools will move Prior Lake High School back under the National School Lunch Program after the Minnesota Department of Education changed its interpretation of federal regulations, district staff told the board.

Director Ryder said the change in interpretation means the high school's food-service revenues and expenses are treated as part of a restricted fund and therefore must follow National School Lunch Program rules. "Beginning on January 5 when students return from winter break, breakfasts and lunches will be free," Ryder said.

Emily Malone, food-service director, told the board the operational change will shift the high school toward more reimbursable meal lines and fewer a la carte offerings. "We're going to have more lines that are reimbursable meals, and less lines that are a la carte," she said, adding that the district will communicate details first to high-school staff and then to families in grades 8 through 12.

Board members expressed frustration that the change was imposed by state interpretation rather than local choice and asked whether other districts received similar notices; the district reported that Byron had received the same guidance.

Administrators said they will work to minimize disruption and emphasized continued options for paid extras (a la carte items) as operational constraints allow. The district will provide further family communications in coming weeks and prepare for menu and line-flow changes required by the program.

No board vote was required; the briefing was informational and will be followed by staff communications and operational planning.