The Snohomish (Wash.) district has approved spending nearly $350,000 to get rid of rats that forced the shutdown of a high school cafeteria last month.

The Everett Herald reports that the building that houses the commons and kitchen at Snohomish High School in Snohoomish, Wash., is expected to re-open next Monday when students return from spring break.

The facility has been closed for several weeks to deal with the rodent infestation. District officials say the rats were discovered March 2 after a food-service worker noticed a strange odor coming from the kitchen. A pest control company subsequently found rat droppings in the ceiling.

While the cafeteria has been out of commission, students have been eating meals in the school's gym, and food has been prepared and brought to campus from a kitchen at a district middle school.

Ceiling tiles and insulation affected by the infestation have been replaced, and openings throughout the building have been sealed to keep rats from re-entering.