The second failed DeKalb District 428 school referendum may have set the school board back, but it hopes its third referendum will succeed.

At Monday night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Brian Ali discussed the possibility of an April 1 referendum, and opened discussion to the school board.

Ali said various schools already have discussed alternatives to making a new referendum work. School Board member Mike Griesbaum said, however, discussions should not escalate until there was a referendum plan that accommodated all schools.

“Don’t put [the referendum] on the April ballot until we find ways to distribute money to all schools in the elementary level,” Griesbaum said. If I get answers, I may be inclined to change my mind.”

School Board Vice President Charles Lundgren said a solid plan needs to be in place because the entire referendum process is tedious and long.

Lundgren challenged Mayor Greg Sparrow to proceed with a summit that would combine all facets of DeKalb County in an effort to figure out the best alternatives to accommodate growth. This comprehensive planning group would consist of governmental bodies in Malta and Cortland, the park and sanitary districts, the school board, community members and maybe the county board, Lundgren said.

“We need to get this going because by Jan. 13 we have to decide what question we will put on the April ballot,” Lundgren said.

The school board and building administrators will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Education Center, 901 S. Fourth St.