Liberty names new school after Zumbro

Liberty Elementary School District will break ground on its eighth school 7 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13.

The school is named Loretta Zumbro Elementary, after an LESD staff member who has had a lasting impact on the district, according to LESD Superintendent Dr. Cort Monroe.

“Since 1986, Ms. Loretta Zumbro has inspired countless students, teachers, and staff in Liberty to embrace learning, growth, and improvement through her kindness, patience, and professionalism,” Monroe said. “As a member of the Liberty Elementary School District family for the past 38 years, she has remained committed to the students and has led by example through her integrity, relationships, and loyalty.”

Zumbro began her tenure with the district in the 1986-87 school year as a fourth-grade teacher. Over the next 18 years, she also served as the head coach for volleyball and basketball. She became athletic director in 2002, serving for 14 years, and was the district athletic director from 2005 to 2015.

“I am a teacher because I believe every child deserves a champion in their life that will encourage them and guide them in the choices they make,” Zumbro said.

The new school will be situated on Lower Buckeye Road, between Perryville and Citrus roads, with a phased opening planned for August 2025. The 73,512-square-foot facility will serve grades PreK-8.

The new school is being developed by DLR Group and CORE Construction under funding coming from the Arizona Department of Administration School Facilities Division’s New School Construction program.

“We have worked with DLR Group on several projects over the past couple of years. When our bond failed, DLR Group worked extra hard with our staff to come up with a design that would keep us on budget and ensure we had a future-ready facility,” said Michael Todd, president of the LESD Governing Board. “The design team has been responsive to our needs. I appreciate their extra efforts to work with us.”

The new school will have a capacity of 900 students and support district programs including agriculture, performing arts, dual language, career preparation, leadership, International Baccalaureate, and STEAM, a grouping of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The district will announce a signature program for the school in the future.

Visit liberty25.org for more information.