Community members volunteered to chair the three committees: One studying a Collins-Maxwell merger, another studying a Collins-Colo merger, and the third researching the feasibility of the school remaining as it is. Armentrout said the studies are being done by strictly citizen groups and are working with members of the Maxwell and Colo communities. Donna Lovig, of Collins, is heading up the study of reattempting a merger with Maxwell. Shirley Klemme, of Collins, is chairperson of the committee studying reorganization with Colo. Colo citizens have also been involved in the study according to Klemme. Keith Padlock, superintendent of Colo school said the Colo community and school board are participating in the study with Collins. Armentrout said the studies will probably be completed and presented to the board sometime between October and November. Meanwhile, the Collins school is still trying to deal with declining enrollment; 176 students enrolled in grades K-12, compared to 184 in the 1976-1977 school year. Rampulla says, "A larger decline was expected. Financially, we are not broke."
Armentrout said, "This year the school has reduced the number of bus routes from three to two and has reduced the positions of junior high teacher, and custodian, from full to part-time.
September 26, 1977. Iowa's public school enrollment is expected to drop by nearly 12,000 students this year with estimated total public school enrollment this year of 591,800. Enrollment in Iowa's nonpublic schools is also expected to continue on a downward trend over the next several years. The 1976-77 nonpublic school enrollment was 59,220, a decrease of 44, 955 from 1965-66, which was the peak year for nonpublic enrollment in Iowa of 104, 175.
October 19, 1977. The City of Collins was one of the 1977 Iowa Community Betterment (ICB) that were honored Tuesday evening at the annual Recognition Day at Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines Iowa. Collins was in Outstanding Achievement, Category II 246-450, placed fifth with community betterment projects that included senior citizens center and the "Show Time" style show and the Main Street Park. Governor Robert D. Ray presented the 64 cash awards to the winning communities. Fifth place winners received $100. Master of ceremonies for the banquet was Jack Shelley, professor of journalism at Iowa State University.
November 11, 1977. First Quarter Honor Roll: 7th Tracy Waterhouse, Janice Brafford. 8th John Lengeling, Debbie Marrs, Brenda Morrison, Dana Reitan, Kristi Richardson, Jeff Sesker, Karen Smith, Roy Smith, 9th David Ball, Bill Dunshee, Diane Graham, Julie Milligan, Shari Moll, Brad Oswalt, Karen Partridge, Keith Partridge, Debbie Richard, Diana Richard, Kim Romp, Karen Stratton. 10th Karen Barrett, Jeannine Brafford, Barry Dodd, Tracy Hofer, Jean Huntrods, Mark Huntrods, Troy Thornton. 11th Charles Fish, Ron Stratton, Lorna Wheeler. 12th Karen Ball, Jolene Brafford, Maria Hernandez, Doreen Krausman, Coleen Partridge, Jodee Thomas, Tracy Thornton, Lori Wilson.
November 30, 1977. The New Providence girls squeaked by the Collins girls basketball team 55-54 at New Providence. Scoring: Tracy Thornton 32, Tami Kingman 14, Jolene Brafford 4, Tracy Hofer 4.
The Collins boys downed New Providence 57-51. Fortunately, they had a large lead as they scored only 6 points in the 4th quarter. Scoring: Doug Klemme 14 Mark Huntrods 10, Marvin Hampton 9, Barry Dodd 9, Billy Dunshee 8, Charles Fish 5, Tracy Armentrout 2.
December 14, 1977. The Collins Girls basketball teamlost to Mingo 76-57. Girls shooting was 19 of 71 shots for 27%. Scoring: Tracy Thornton 25, Tami Kingman 17.
The Collins boys won 54-41. "The defense kept us in the game and that is what eventually won it for us," Coach Brooks said.