The school principal of LeBron James' I Promise School was on administrative leave and now has resigned after an altercation with a student.
An investigation against Brandi Davis was initiated back in late September after accusations surfaced that she allegedly slapped an 11-year-old student in the face for using profanity to describe the disorder of the school's bathroom, Beacon Journal reports.
The young boy was wearing a mask when Davis struck him in the face, according to the New York Post. The child's mother issued a statement, arguing that her son "had a busted lip and was bleeding."
In September, the child's mother said she received a call from the public school official, and Davis allegedly confessed to slapping the student when he swore as she addressed him and a group of his classmates about leaving the boy's bathroom in a mess.
"She said she just reacted and slapped him," the student's mother said while discussing Davis, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.
Davis was an Akron Public School educator for 20 years, and she also sits on the board for the LeBron James Family Foundation. She has worked in the capacity of a teacher, assistant principal and principal, and is also a graduate from the University of Akron, WKYC Channel 3 reports.
The victim's mother was taken aback by the incident, saying, "We looked at you all as family."
Akron Public Schools spokesperson Mark Williamson released a statement saying they take all allegations "seriously."
"Akron Public Schools has begun an investigation into an allegation that a child was struck by a staff member at I PROMISE School," Williamson said in the statement.
The I Promise School also released a statement that reaffirmed its commitment to the Akron education system and upholding its "We Are Family" philosophy that implies a student's complete support system is a valued component in their educational development.
“We are family, and that means we support every one of our I PROMISE educators, students, and family members through anything they may be going through. In this and in every case, we will always do everything we can to make sure all are loved and supported during these times as we learn and grow as a family,” the statement reads.
James' I Promise School opened its doors in 2018 and was created for "at-risk" students in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, The New York Post reports.
The Akron Public Schools Board will convene on Monday, Dec. 6, to vote on Davis' resignation. The results of the investigation will be sent to the state of Ohio to determine if Davis will retain her license.