Akron School Honors Life, Legacy, and Impact of Phil Maynard - Champion of Akron

Monday, August 16, 2021

[Akron, OH, August 16, 2021] On Thursday, August 12, 2021, friends, families, and loved ones of the late Phil Maynard gathered together to honor his significant contributions to the Akron community and Julie Billiart School Akron. The dedication ceremony was held at the Julie Billiart School (JB) Akron campus at 380 Mineola Avenue.

Dedicated to making a difference in the development of the Akron community, Phil Maynard supported many causes during his life. His support for Julie Billiart Schools has impacted the lives and the trajectory of opportunities for children with learning differences. His involvement in the school continues to provide children with special learning and social needs necessary education, therapy, and support.

“When it was time to expand Julie Billiard Schools’ model to the Akron community, we needed to surround ourselves with a village of individuals who understood our students and wanted to see them succeed. Phil was such a champion of the Akron community and loved our kids” said Lannie Davis-Frecker, President and CEO of Julie Billiart Schools. “Because of Phil’s connections in the community and his commitment to education, we have been able to bring JB Akron to life, and are giving kids with special learning needs a place where they find their path to success.”

Maynard, along with his dear friend and longtime philanthropic partner, Roger Read, conducted a series of challenges to engage the community in order to raise the capital that was needed to bring the school to life. Together they brought leaders from almost every industry to help JB Akron make necessary renovations and open its doors on time to serve the school’s first students.

As a tribute to Maynard’s life, The Maynard Family Foundation, alongside Roger and Sally Read, have chosen to continue Maynard’s commitment to JB Akron through two major renovations that took place this summer. Renovations included an expansion of the kindergarten classroom and a new canopy over the main entrance to the school in order to better serve students. The second phase of renovations will expand the school’s capacity and is planned for next year.

The newly expanded kindergarten is dedicated to Phil and The Maynard Family Foundation, while the canopy is dedicated to the longtime friendship and partnership of Phil, Roger, and Sally.

“Phil always said that we were like the three musketeers,” said Roger and Sally Read. “The three of us were excited about the work that JB does for students, and it was gratifying knowing that the children had a learning environment that gave them love, acceptance, and belonging. We knew how generous and talented the Akron community was, and we made it our mission to put the full strength of this great community behind such a worthy project.”

“Phil’s love has and will continue to live on in education,” said Pam Loughry, Executive Director of the Maynard Family Foundation. “At the Maynard Family Foundation, we are honored to be a part of this new endeavor at JB Akron and know that by renovating these rooms we are continuing Phil’s mission to influence others to reach success.”

--

Julie Billiart Schools, a community of schools with campuses in Lyndhurst, Akron, and Westlake, strive to build self-confidence, inspire Christian values, and empower K-8 students with skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm for life-long learning. Small class sizes, onsite specialized therapies, and highly experienced intervention specialists are just a few ways that Julie Billiart Schools take students with high functioning autism, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences beyond education, and beyond expectations.