During the Duval County School Board Workshop on February 1, 2025, board members discussed significant funding allocations aimed at enhancing literacy programs for students. A key decision was made to approve a $300,000 budget that will support both book fairs and summer literacy initiatives.

The funding will facilitate partnerships with local libraries and after-school programs, ensuring that students have access to essential reading materials and resources. This initiative aims to combat the "summer slide," a phenomenon where students lose academic skills over the break, by providing engaging literacy activities and parent guides to support learning at home.

Additionally, the board addressed changes in vendor partnerships, noting that ReadUSA will no longer contract with Celestiq. Instead, the district will work with a new vendor to ensure the continuity of literacy support services.

This funding decision reflects the board's commitment to improving literacy rates among students and fostering a love for reading through community collaboration. As these programs roll out, the school board anticipates positive outcomes for student engagement and academic performance in the coming year.