BUCKEYE, Ariz. – History will be made when the Liberty Elementary School District No. 25, officially breaks ground on the district’s eighth school. The new school will be located on the north side of Lower Buckeye Road, between Perryville and Citrus Roads. The groundbreaking will take place on Friday, September 13 at 7 a.m. and the school will have a phased opening for students beginning August 2025. The Loretta Zumbro Elementary School features 73,512 square feet of future-ready learning environments for grades PreK-8. The DLR Group and CORE Construction have worked with LESD to establish the project scope and budget; which will be funded through the Arizona Department of Administration School Facilities Division, New School Construction program.
“We have worked with DLR Group on several projects over the past couple of years,” says Liberty ESD Governing Board President Michael Todd. “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. The design team has been responsive to our needs. I appreciate their extra efforts to work with us.”
Loretta Zumbro Elementary School will have a capacity to serve up to 900 students. The district supports signature programs in a variety of areas, including agriculture, performing arts and dual language, career preparation, leadership, International Baccalaureate, and STEAM. Loretta Zumbro will further the district’s mission in supporting a signature program to be named in the future.
“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,” said Liberty ESD Superintendent Dr. Cort Monroe. “As a member of the Liberty Elementary School District family the past 38 years, she has remained committed to the students of the Liberty Elementary School District and leading by example through her integrity, relationships, and loyalty. I am proud to be a part of the Liberty Elementary School District and to work with a Governing Board that named our eighth school after such an exemplary individual who has meant so much to so many during her time in Liberty."
Loretta Zumbro first joined the Liberty Elementary School District community at the start of the 1986-1987 school year as a fourth grade classroom teacher at the Liberty School campus. She remained a classroom teacher at the school for 18 years, dedicating herself to nurturing curiosity and igniting the passion for knowledge in all her students. During this time, she also served as the school’s head coach for volleyball and basketball, emphasizing values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Her love of sports and coaching led her to become the school’s Athletic Director in 2002, serving in this position for another 14 years, as well as taking on the role of District Athletic Director between 2005 to 2015.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the students and community of the Liberty Elementary School District for my entire career,” said Technology Integrated Specialist Loretta Zumbro. “Since joining the district back in 1986, I have seen it grow from the one school district we were, to the bustling seven, and soon to be eight schools we are now. There is a sense of pride in our work at Liberty. We learn from each other and take care of each other. 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. All children deserve a positive adult in their life. If I can be that positive influence on just one child, I have been successful.”
Be sure to visit www.liberty25.org for updates throughout the building process. Enrollment information will also be available after the first of the year on the district’s website.
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About LESD25
Founded in 1887, the Liberty Elementary School District No. 25 spans 285 square miles including rural and suburban settings. It has grown from a historic one-room schoolhouse, to seven kindergarten through eighth grade schools between Buckeye and Goodyear, educating more than 4,500 students. Each school is tailored to serve students based on their interests through unique signature programs. LESD25 prepares all students for success in high school and beyond with engaging and challenging learning environments. Through individual accomplishment, personal leadership, and contribution to their community, children flourish. Discover more at liberty25.org.
Inspire students to be lifelong learners and empower all students to reach their full potential.