Students in the Mars Area School District will be paying a little more for lunch next year.

The school board last night approved raising the lunch prices to $2.25 for elementary students and $2.50 for secondary students.

If enough students participate in the paid lunch program, the district will realize a profit of approximately $5,200 that will offset the costs of maintenance, garbage collection and utilities for the cafeteria, said Jill Swaney, business manager. Previously, the lunch prices covered the price of the lunch program, not those extra costs, she said.

The board also approved a new contract with its cafeteria manager, Nutrition Inc., which was the only bidder.