In a bold move to enhance literacy among Jacksonville's youth, Mayor's 2025-2026 budget proposes a significant boost for educational initiatives, particularly through the Kids Hope Alliance. The mayor highlighted a troubling trend in literacy scores, prompting the launch of a targeted after-school pilot program. The results have been remarkable: at Northwest Legends, third-grade reading proficiency skyrocketed from 9% to 49%, while Reynolds Lane saw an increase from 8% to 54%.

To support these efforts, the budget allocates nearly $3 million more than last year for Kids Hope Alliance, underscoring the city's commitment to investing in its children. Additionally, the River City Readers initiative has engaged nearly 1,400 kids in reading, totaling over 3.2 million minutes in just 18 months. This concerted effort has led to a dramatic rise in literacy, with third-grade reading levels more than doubling from 22% to 51% over the past school year.

The mayor also celebrated the Duval County Public Schools achieving a countywide A rating for the first time in 21 years, a testament to the collaborative efforts of educators and community leaders.

Beyond education, the budget emphasizes infrastructure improvements, including $1 million for litter cleanup and $500,000 for new trash and recycling bins. The city is also focused on enhancing parks and public spaces, ensuring they are designed with community connection and quality of life in mind.

As Jacksonville moves forward, the mayor's budget reflects a commitment to nurturing the next generation while revitalizing the city’s infrastructure and cultural landscape.