New LESD school named for district teacher

Liberty Elementary School District broke ground this morning on the Loretta Zumbro Elementary School, drawing a large crowd to celebrate the occasion and the building's namesake who was present with her family.

"It's an amazing day and I'm deeply humbled and profoundly honored to be standing before you today," said Zumbro, a longtime LESD teacher. "After 38 years of service in this remarkable district, I am just so overwhelmed with the emotions as I reflect on the journey that has led to this moment."

During the ceremony, LESD Governing Board President Michael Todd asked attendees to shout out words to describe Zumbro. The crowd answered with numerous descriptions for the educator: caring, dedicated, helpful, friend, student advocate, leader, passionate and hardworking.

Zumbro has been part of LESD 1986 when she joined the district as a fourth-grade teacher. She taught in classrooms for 18 years while also serving as head volleyball and basketball coach. Zumbro became athletic director in 2002, a role she filled for 14 years. She was the district's athletic director from 2005 to 2015.

Today, she serves as the district's technology integrated specialist. Zumbro was named Westside Impact Teacher of the Year in 2001 and is an Intel Teach to the Future master trainer having mentored more than 100 teachers between 2001 and 2006. She was named an Intel Teach to the Future Super Star in 2003 and has received three Liberty District Pride Awards.

"How do you begin to say enough good things about a lady who has singlehandedly touched the lives of so many students?" Todd said during an emotional speech at the ceremony. "Since the first day in 1986, Ms. Zumbro has inspired countless teachers, students and staff to embrace learning, growth and improvement through her unwavering professionalism, kindness and patience."

Todd presented Zumbro with three checks during the ceremony. The first $100 will go toward xx, the second $100 check xx and the third provided $100 of seed money to start a Loretta Zumbro scholarship at the school.

"To have a school named after me is not just a reflection of my contributions but a testament to the collective efforts of all those who have supported me along the way," Zumbro said. "From my fellow educators who've inspired me with their passion and dedication to the families and community members who have trusted us with their most precious treasures. And to the students who are the reason we are who we are and what we do. This honor belongs to each and every one of you."

The 73,512-square-foot building will support 900 pre-K to eighth-grade students. It is located on Lower Buckeye Rd. between Perryville Rd. and Citrus Rd., falling within Goodyear city limits, and will begin a phased opening starting August 2025. DLR Group and Core Construction will lead the project, which is funded by the Arizona Department of Administration School Facilities Division's New School Construction Program.