Board hears state and federal education updates: AED bill, Keystone study and federal loan changes

Ms. Mathis provided a state legislative update at the May 14 North Hills School District board meeting, telling members the state House and Senate are on recess until June 1 when the state budget will become their primary focus and briefing them on two bills that could affect schools.

On state bills, Mathis described Senate Bill 375 as headed to the governor’s desk: "This is AEDs at interscholastic athletic events, and this bill would require school entities and non public schools to have an AED at all PIAA interscholastic athletic events and to incorporate a sudden cardiac event emergency action plan into our emergency action plans if that is signed by the governor." She also summarized House Bill 1751, a feasibility study that would direct the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education to evaluate whether the ACT or SAT could serve as an alternative to Keystone exams in literature, algebra and biology.

On federal changes, Ms. Stevens briefed the board on rules taking effect July 1 that will affect student loans for the 2026–27 school year. "Parent PLUS loans are now going to be capped at $20,000 per year, and a $65,000 lifetime limit per dependent student," she said. Stevens also described tightened Pell Grant eligibility and proration of loan amounts for part-time students.

Why it matters: AED requirements would affect event preparedness and emergency planning at school athletic events; changes to testing policy could prompt district-level discussion if the study advances; federal loan rule changes affect families planning for college financing. The board did not take formal votes on any of these items; they were provided as informational reports.

What happens next: These items were informational. If the bills become law or PDE proceeds with a study, the district could examine required policy, training, or budgeting changes and return to the board for formal action.