Overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings were two of the topics discussed in a talk about the coming $55 million referendum at Monday night’s school board meeting.

The Citizens for the Referendum Committee is working on passing a $55 million plan to get a new high school, a renovated middle school and elementary school improvements.

“It’s important to keep the classes small,” said Tom Matya, co-chair of the referendum committee. “It’s also imperative to remove the mobile rooms.”

Matya added the benefits will not be seen for three years, so it’s important voters see the need for it now.

Matya hopes the location for the possible high school will be announced soon. “As soon as that announcement is made, more information will be available at that time,” Matya said.

Superintendent Brian Ali said an announcement of the location of the school possibly could be made next week.

“We’re all pumped up about this,” Matya said. “It’s clear to me that passing the referendum is an important thing to do.”

Matya informed the public at the meeting about the school referendum Web site, www.voteyes-greatschools.org., which was initiated Feb. 2.

“The site has information about the referendum, where to vote, what will happen to the schools and the cost,” Matya said.

He said he believes launching the Web site is a good way to get information out inexpensively.

“We feel it is a good way people can be informed and help them get facts,” he said.

The site also has a page where people can post questions and have them answered within 24 hours. So far, about six questions have been submitted.

The committee also is spreading information about the referendum using community volunteers, who will pass out information starting the last week of February until Election Day March 9.

Four open forums will be held to alert the community about the referendum, on Feb. 19 at Malta Elementary, Feb. 21 at Elva Town Hall, Feb. 28 at Cortland Elementary School and March 4 at the DeKalb High School Auditorium. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

There also will be two other public forums held. The first will be held at 7 p.m. today by the League of Women Voters at the Hopkins Park Community Center with co-chair Micki Chulick as the primary speaker. The other will be at 7:30 p.m. March 5 at the Egyptian Theatre, sponsored by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.

For more information or to volunteer, call Matya at 758-3525 or Chulick at 758-6571.