The I Promise public school, established by LeBron James for underprivileged youth in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, will eventually cost district taxpayers approximately $8 million annually.

Mark Williamson, a spokesman for the Akron school district, stated, “The media coverage made it appear as if LeBron is solely responsible for the school. While he has contributed significantly, taxpayers should be aware that this is also their investment.”

The financial burden will fall largely on taxpayers because the school is a collaborative initiative between Akron Public Schools, which handles its daily operations, and LeBron’s foundation. As a public school, it operates on a non-profit basis and is the result of a decade of effort.

District officials are still finalizing the contract details for the school, according to Cleveland.com. Although the NBA star received widespread acclaim and media attention for his support when the school opened last month, Akron’s district will ultimately cover about 75 percent of the costs—$8 million—once the school is fully operational.

The district will be responsible for hiring and paying staff and transporting students via district buses. The funding will primarily come from reallocating resources from other schools.

LeBron’s foundation will provide $2 million annually when the school is fully operational, accommodating all eight grades. Currently, it serves only third and fourth graders. This year, the foundation has already contributed $500,000 for additional teachers, training, and after-school programs and invested $2 million in redesigning the school district’s facilities.

James has also promised free bicycles and helmets for students and tuition coverage at the University of Akron for I Promise graduates, among other commitments.

Unlike many celebrity-driven educational initiatives that involve charter schools, I Promise aims to be a genuine public school rather than a charter or private institution. Critics of charter schools argue that they divert resources from traditional public schools and undermine teachers’ unions.

LeBron James has previously donated millions to his local school district. The I Promise school, which he considers one of his greatest achievements, will initially offer classes for third and fourth graders, with plans to add first and second grades in the following year. By 2022, it will serve students from first through eighth grades.

For James, who recalled missing 83 days of school as a fourth grader while he and his mother sought stability, the opening of the school represents the culmination of years of planning by his foundation. “This means everything,” James told The Associated Press. “It’s not just about me; a championship is for a team, an organization, and a city. But this is for these kids, for generations to come.”

The school received praise from First Lady Melania Trump after President Trump criticized James in a tweet questioning his intelligence. Trump had attacked James following an interview with CNN’s Don Lemon, where James commented on how sports can unite Americans but criticized Trump for using sports to divide people.

In response to the President’s tweet, First Lady Trump’s spokesperson issued a statement highlighting her support for LeBron’s efforts to benefit children and encouraging open dialogue about issues facing young people.

Following the President’s criticism, Mark Williamson defended James, saying, “Anyone who has contributed as much as LeBron James has to preparing our children for a successful future must be intelligent.” He praised James as a great role model, adding, “He has never let our children down. Not once.”