At its meeting Tuesday night, Northville's school board unanimously approved two resolutions that express disapproval of a set of Michigan Senate bills that would change the way schools operate statewide.

Additionally, the board voiced its opposition to the possible repeal of the personal property tax, which is paid by businesses. Officials said that could cost the district a minimum of $220,000 if repealed without replacement funding.

Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher said that the resolutions would be sent to the offices of Gov. Rick Snyder and Rep. Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth). 

Senate bills 618 through 624, if approved by the legislature, would bring several changes to Michigan public schools, and to the state’s public education environment. Here's a breakdown of the bills:

• Senate Bill 618: Eliminates the cap on charter schools in Michigan
• Senate Bill 619: Eliminates the cap on cyber schools in Michigan
• Senate Bill 620: Stipulates that if 51 percent of the parents or 51 percent of the teachers in a public school district sign a petition, the school can be converted into a charter school
• Senate Bill 621: Eases restrictions on non-public school students taking public school courses
• Senate Bill 622: Repeals restrictions on non-public school students taking college courses
• Senate Bill 623: Repeals restrictions on non-public school students taking career school courses
• Senate Bill 624: Requires that all Michigan districts participate in the Schools of Choice program

The resolutions were read into the record by Gallagher and reflect the district's opposition to what it perceives as the erosion of local control over schools. The board also expressed its worry that school funding and resources for traditional public schools would further deteriorate under these bills.