CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Schools on Friday, March 7, announced an adjustment to its sixth- grade transition plan due to ongoing construction delays at the new Cullman Middle School facility. While First Team Construction maintains that the project remains on schedule, Cullman City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff expressed concerns about the timeline based on previous delays.
The original completion date for the new building was set for September 2024, later revised to March 2025, then June 2025 and now late July 2025. Given this shifting timeline, the district has determined it is in the best interest of students, employees and families to delay the sixth-grade transition until further notice.
During the 2025-2026 school year, sixth-grade students will remain at East and West Elementary Schools while the district continues to evaluate construction progress. A decision on the official transition date will be made in the coming months, with potential options including a mid-year move in December 2025 or a full transition in August 2026.
“Now is the time we must make concrete plans for the upcoming school year,” said Kallhoff. “Once we put the wheels in motion, reversing course becomes extremely difficult if the delivery date gets pushed back further. Our priority is ensuring a smooth and well-prepared transition for our students.”
The district is actively working behind the scenes on curriculum, coding, scheduling and funding to ensure that when the transition occurs, it is seamless for students, faculty and staff. Representatives from East Elementary School, West Elementary School and Cullman Middle School will soon communicate updates on adjustments to extracurricular activities and elective classes, including band, dance, STEM, art and music.
“We understand this may cause some inconvenience for families, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we navigate this situation,” said Kallhoff. “Unfortunately, we remain dependent on the progress of the general contractor and subcontractors for this project.”
Cullman City Schools said it will continue to monitor construction progress closely and provide updates as needed.
