Two Malta schools could act as short-term solutions to the overcrowding problems at DeKalb’s schools.

The failed referendum has school board members discussing the idea of utilizing space at Malta Elementary, 507 N. Third St., and Malta High School, to alleviate stress on DeKalb’s elementary schools.

This year, there were 72 elementary students who were forced to overflow into other elementary schools. Projections released Monday show that overcrowding will worsen at the K-4 level during the 2003-2004 academic year, with the exception of Malta Elementary, where projections show it to be nearly 130 students below capacity.

Because of the available space, the school board is attempting to find ways to move students prior to fall. The possibility of re-districting so that more students fall into Malta elementary’s jurisdiction was discussed.

One option discussed was that residents to the west of Annie Glidden Road would attend Malta. Superintendent Brian Ali stressed this was just an idea, and both he and the board members were apprehensive to the idea of hastily re-drawing lines.

During the next few weeks, all school board members will study districting maps to see what moves would be most feasible.

Re-districting is what Ali called a “short-term” solution. The board also discussed a long-term solution that would incorporate the now-empty Malta High School.

The high school currently is undergoing renovations that will, among other things, get rid of asbestos. Because of the renovations, Ali said the building would not be ready until the 2004-2005 school year.

Possible options for Malta High School include turning it into a school for grades K-4 or 5-8, or even a magnet school. That way, parents would have incentive to send their students there.

Renovations to do so would come at a minimum $1 million price tag, but would increase the school capacity by at least 25 students up to 275.

Neither idea drew much enthusiasm from the 25 community members in attendance. But School Board President Tom Teresinski stressed everything is preliminary, and there will be future meetings to discuss everything.

“We need to look at the existing recourses to see what can be done,” Teresinski said.

The next workshops to discuss possibilities to help overcrowding will be held at 6 p.m. April 28 at the Education Center, 901 S. Fourth St.