The Liberty Elementary School District governing board explored options for funding a new $37 million elementary school in Goodyear Monday as two schools reach capacity because of housing growth.

Liberty's eighth elementary school would alleviate Blue Horizon and Las Brisas, which will be at or over 100% in 2025 and capacity in 2026.

Liberty has embedded into construction development agreements stipulations for school sites in two housing developments, Amber Meadows and La Privada. Both developments have allotted 7.5 acres for a school. However, La Privada has not conceded to the 2006 land donation agreement terms.

The two proposed 7.5-acre sites are next to each other and are divided by an irrigation line that doubles as a natural border. Any building would have to consider water diversion, according to Liberty staff.

District officials estimate an 18-month construction schedule to build a new school. Construction must start by February 2024 for the new elementary school to be open when the two schools mentioned earlier reach critical capacity.

According to Curtis Chipman, attorney for the district via Udall Shumway PLC, construction is based on the timing of growth in these housing developments for roads, adjacent ways, off-site utilities and infrastructure.

The district is considering partnering with the city instead of waiting for developers to build toward the potential school parcels.

For the school to move forward, the board would have to decide when they would like to execute a $14.5 million bond to help with construction costs. While the remaining $23 million would come from state funding.