Flavor Flav endured cruel criticism for his role on reality shows like VH1′s The Surreal Life and the Flavor of Love series. Now the Public Enemy hypeman is trying to make a positive impact—first, by going back to school for his diploma, then, by filming the entire experience.

The 51-year-old TV star wants to shoot a reality series at Clinton high school in Iowa, according to Illinois’ news network WQAD. Flav dropped out of school in tenth grade and is now seeking an opportunity to make up for lost time.

“I want this show to be able to influence people my age, that if you dropped out of high school when you were young it’s never too late to go back to get your diploma,” he said.

The Clinton school district doesn’t seem to share Flav’s enthusiasm at this point. The school Superintendent Deb Olson released a statement calling the idea “a substantial disruption to the school day,” adding that she hopes Flavor finds a way to help the district that wouldn’t have “an adverse effect on students.”

Back in January, the rap figure made his way into the town of Clinton, launching his own chicken restaurant in the area, which he hopes will be the first of many. Next month his memoir, Icon, will arrive in stores.—Henry Adaso

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