NBA player LeBron James was celebrated in the liberal media for launching his new I Promise school in Akron, Ohio, and rightfully so.
Despite his politics and his opposition to President Donald Trump — James not only endorsed Hillary Clinton, but actively stumped for her — for a professional athlete to make this kind of investment in the community is certainly praiseworthy.
The kid from Akron with his kids from Akron. #IPROMISE #WeAreFamily pic.twitter.com/NbRp3BN4SY
— I PROMISE School (@IPROMISESchool) July 30, 2018
Even if taxpayers will foot much of the bill for “LeBron’s school” — for the record, his estimated net worth is $440 million and that was before he signed a four-year, $153.3 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers this year.
The school, a collaboration between the LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron Public Schools system, is for at-risk 3rd and 4th graders, with plans to expand from first to eighth grade by 2022.
I Promise students will receive:
- Free tuition
- Free uniforms
- Free breakfast, lunch and snacks
- Free transportation within 2 miles
- A free bicycle and helmet
- Access to a food pantry for their family
- Guaranteed tuition for all graduates to the University of Akron
James’ foundation will pick up “about $2 million for the school’s first year, including startup costs,” the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.
But the school is in a Akron Public Schools building and will be run by the district, according to the newspaper.
Tradition. The #IPROMISE with Principal Davis 🖤 #WeAreFamily pic.twitter.com/672lRQ41Ew
— I PROMISE School (@IPROMISESchool) August 1, 2018
“The district will hire and pay the teachers and administration,” the Plain Dealer reported.
“Kids will ride district buses to school. And they will all eat the free breakfast and lunch the district gives all students.”
Off to school 🚌 with Mrs. Nicole! #IPROMISE #WeAreFamily pic.twitter.com/fERV2bRHJK
— I PROMISE School (@IPROMISESchool) August 2, 2018
The eventual cost for the I Promise school is expected to be about $8 million a year, with the district assuming the additional cost out of its regular budget — the funding coming “mostly by shifting students, teachers and money from other schools.”
District spokesman Mark Williamson remarked on the media oversight in covering the story to note that taxpayers are also invested.
“The coverage made it look like the whole thing is his,” Williamson said. “He did a lot, but taxpayers should know it’s their investment too.”
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the financial clarity from Twitter:
The school is a great idea. But asking a city, already struggling, to foot the $$$ is rough. Especially when funds may be taken from other schools to cover it.
Who's paying for LeBron James' new I Promise school? LeBron or Akron Public Schools? https://t.co/kSYNThaKGv
— Jeromy Doele🇺🇸 (@JeromeDoele) August 8, 2018
I’m woke, and still fell for the lies about “Lebron’s school.”
Wow, the fake news is worse than I thought, they really will lie about anything.
– “Lebron’s school” will cost taxpayers $8 million a year, with Lebron donating $2 million or less.https://t.co/hlReVkSy67
— Mike Cernovich ?? (@Cernovich) August 7, 2018
LeBron’s “free” school isn’t free at all. It’s costing Akron, OH taxpayers $8 million/year. LeBron’s foundation is only kicking in $2 million. https://t.co/zBNviHG99z
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) August 7, 2018
but let’s not forget lebron James is a corporation and every corporation has a foundation website where you can donate, so who’s really paying for the school..
— brody (@broadheadmhmm) August 7, 2018
Report says TAXPAYERS in Akron Ohio fund “LeBron’s, I Promise School” to the tune of $8 million a year. Taxpayers didn’t get the applause that James did over this announcement nor did they take a bow like he did. This is called stealing someone’s thunder. https://t.co/t3sPlOXsrj
— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) August 8, 2018
Credit to LeBron James for getting involved in helping public education, but Akron, Ohio taxpayers are paying 75% of the costs for "his" school. https://t.co/2QvDyva0xD
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) August 6, 2018
Okay, but I don't understand why conservatives feel the need to criticize this. The guy put millions into this school and will donate millions more. Most of the people critiquing would never in a millions years be this generous with their money. https://t.co/TtFA2GJif8
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 7, 2018
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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