Cullman Intermediate School, CHS Career Tech/STEM wing projects moving forward

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Renderings of the new Cullman Intermediate School and CHS Career Tech/STEM wing projects (Cullman City Schools)

CULLMAN, Ala. – Some long-awaited Cullman City Schools projects took a major step forward this week, with the Cullman City School Board awarding bids for two major projects set to expand and reshape our community for years to come.

Bids have been accepted and awarded for the new Cullman Intermediate School (CIS) that will be opened at an expanded West Elementary School (WES) campus, as well as a new Career Technical Education/Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) wing at Cullman High School — clearing the way for construction to break ground on both projects in early 2025.

Cullman-based Edison Construction won the approximately $10 million bid for the Career Tech/STEM wing at CHS; while Birmingham-based Wyatt Builds was the winning bidder for the approximately $24 million CIS project. Both companies are well established and have a great working relationship with board architect Lathan and Associates.

“With the approval of the 2023 community-driven Strategic Plan/Pillars of Commitments, our board placed STEM education as a priority, as well as creating a comprehensive Cullman Intermediate School to serve all of Cullman’s students in grades 3-5,” Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff said.

Cullman Intermediate School

The CIS project will be a multiyear undertaking spaced into multiple phases. The project will include a new, two-story wing with classrooms and administrative space; a new gym and storm shelter; the conversion of the old gym into a new STEM space; and renovation work for all existing WES buildings.

Once the project is finished, grades 3-5 that had previously been split across East Elementary School and West Elementary School will all be combined at CIS.

CHS Career Tech/STEM wing

The new Career Tech/STEM wing at Cullman High School is slated to take approximately 18 months to complete, and will see the addition of a new two-story wing located behind the current agriculture class/shop on Fourth Street.

The new facility will provide cutting-edge space for STEM programs, cybersecurity, health science, educators and training, computer science and marketing classrooms. The project will also include 3,900 square feet of dedicated space (on the lower level) for modern manufacturing, as well as 150 additional parking spaces for students and staff.

“It is exciting to work with a board and community that is hyper focused on growth and creating opportunities for our students to be successful while we have them and long after they graduate,” Kallhoff added. “Our students and community deserve safe and modern facilities; this is one reason why families want to reside in Cullman, Alabama.”