In order for plans for the election to continue, at least 20% of the registered voters in both the Collins and Maxwell districts will have to sign petitions. This will call for around 150 signatures in the Maxwell district and around 100 in the Collins district.
Patrick Sullivan, Maxwell Superintendent, said he thinks the election can be held in May if there are no unforeseen delays.
There would likely be some shifting of taxes, with taxes to be higher for the residents of the Collins district and lower for the residents of the Maxwell district. The Department of Public Instruction released results of the Collins-Maxwell reorganization feasibility study and also of a Collins-Colo reorganization feasibility study on Friday and Nicholls went and picked them up and distributed copies to the board members so they could study them over the weekend.
Results of the two studies are nearly identical in most respects. They show that Collins could feasibly merge with either Maxwell or Colo and the tax changes would be about the same. They show some difference in transportation, noting that a district made by combining Collins and Colo would be long and narrow and some students living at the north and south ends would have farther to travel to school. The study results show that all three districts will probably all lose enrollments in the next few years. The districts will all have financial problems because of the enrollment drop.
In other business, the boards discussed sharing for next year and agreed to postpone their final decision for a time. If the reorganization election can be held in May, its results will effect the decision on sharing. The boards generally agreed that if the districts vote to merge a maximum sharing program will be set up.
About a dozen visitors were present at the meeting, but they were not asked to speak and none asked for the floor.
March 12, 1982. Week of March 15. Hot Lunch Menus: Mon. Shrimp shapes, mashed potatoes, relish, peanut butter sandwich, cherry dessert, milk. Tues. Tacos, trims, scalloped corn, fruit cut, cookies, milk. Wed. Beef stew, biscuit, salad, relish, lime dessert, milk. Thurs. Chili soup, cheese whiz sandwich, fruit, donuts, milk, Fri. Beanie Wienie, corn bread, relish, fruit, milk.
March 16, 1982. School petitions said OK. Lawyers for Heartland Area Education Agency and for the Collins and Maxwell School districts have found the petitions calling for a merger election for the two districts to be in good order, it was reported at the regular meeting of the Collins board of education Monday night.
John Nicholls, superintendent of Collins schools, said the AEA has accepted the petitions and has set April 7 at noon as the deadline for residents of the districts who wish to do so to file objections. If any objections are filed, Nicholls, said, the AEA will conduct a public hearing on the matter on April 12.
The board did not set a public informational meeting, but indicated that district residents could attend the hearing on April 12 if one is held, could attend the regular school board meeting on April 19 and ask questions and can always call a board member and ask questions an individual basis.