MASSENA -- If the federal government does not reach an agreement to re-open by March, school districts, including Massena, won't be reimbursed for free and reduced lunch.

"It's not clear if it's going to affect the federal food we receive. What we believe it's going to affect is reimbursement on free and reduced lunch and cause the district to have to cover the cost," Superintendent Pat Brady said at Thursday's Board of Education meeting. "We'll make sure all of our students are fed appropriately."

The comment came after school board member David LaClair Jr. asked if the ongoing shutdown, which is now the longest in United States history, could pose any threat to the district.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," board president Pat Bronchetti said.