Patrons' vote will determine if 2 Texas districts will combine

From The Abilene Reporter-News: The Novice (Texas) school board has voted to hold a Nov. 6 election on whether to consolidate with the Coleman school system. For the consolidation to go through, it must be approved by a majority of voters in both Novice and Coleman school districts. Coleman's school board voted earlier this month in a "nonbinding item" that it was in favor of consolidation with Novice.

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From The Abilene Reporter-News: The Novice and Coleman independent school districts in Texas are discussing a merger. The boards voted unanimously at a joint meeting to "consider consolidation" talks. The action comes after the Texas Education Agency notified the Novice district last month that it would not receive any state funds for the 2012-13 school year because the district owes the state an estimated $539,990. The state allocated the money to Novice for the 2011-12 school year based on projected student enrollment, but Novice's numbers fell short.