James Solomon Unveils Bold Education Plan for Jersey City

News Desk | August 5, 2025 | International, Politics | Follow on Google News

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — James Solomon, candidate for Mayor of Jersey City, announced a comprehensive education plan designed to address the current challenges faced by Jersey City’s public school system. With a focus on student achievement, fair funding, and professional leadership, Solomon’s plan is committed to making Jersey City’s schools a place where every student can thrive.

Despite the dedication and hard work of educators, fewer than half of students in Jersey City are proficient in reading, with only a third proficient in math, falling significantly below pre-pandemic levels. The city also faces alarming rates of chronic absenteeism, with over 25% of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2023. These issues have been compounded by an overburdened property tax system for residents. As a parent of three, Solomon has made education a central pillar of his campaign.

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Jersey City mayoral candidate James Solomon said:  “As Mayor, I firmly believe we all share in the responsibility of ensuring our children are ready to succeed. Our educators cannot do it alone. We must bring together all parts of the City administration, alongside educators, families, and the community, to support our students with new initiatives and opportunities. We can’t have a successful city without the best schools and parents should know I will work around the clock to get it done.”

James Solomon Education Plan

Guarantee after-school and summer enrichment opportunities for every student. 

• Add 1,000 additional annual slots for student employment and training opportunities including summer jobs, internships, mentorships, and apprenticeships. 
• Dramatically increase the availability and variety of affordable after-school and summer enrichment programming, making Jersey City a leader in enrichment for out-of-school time. 
• Create a City-wide portal to help families find appropriate enrichment opportunities. 
• Establish the first permanent City recreational center in or near Bayside Park. 

Fight for fair funding for schools and facilities. 

• Push to restore Jersey City’s fair share of State school aid and funding for the construction and rehabilitation of facilities.
• Ensure corporations comply with the non-resident payroll tax to fund our schools. 
• Make sure that the schools get their fair share of revenue from new development. 

Push for professional School Board leadership. 

• Demand that the School Board act professionally, or support alternative Board candidates who will. 
• Push the School Board to reevaluate the JCPS literacy curriculum, and offer additional programming to improve literacy outcomes. 

Appoint a Deputy Mayor for Education to lead coordinated education initiatives across the City. 

• This Deputy Mayor will serve as the top City liaison to help bring together every education stakeholder in the city, coordinate between these stakeholders, and secure additional partnerships and funding to support education. 

Support teachers with workforce housing and help them afford to live in our City. 

• Prioritize the development of workforce housing for teachers and other essential workers like first responders on City-owned land, or vacant and abandoned properties. 
• Explore ways to improve quality of life for teachers and first responders by providing free, designated parking.