CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Schools is more than two years into a strategic plan created to position the school system for the future. The system recently released an update on its progress.
In 2023, the Cullman City Board of Education approved a five-year strategic plan “rooted in the voices of its community. Through seven dedicated stakeholder meetings, the board listened to the needs, hopes and aspirations of parents, employees, students, and community members — resulting in a bold, actionable roadmap known as the Pillars of Commitment,” said a media release.
“Since 2021, the current board has guided the school system through a period of growth, innovation, and strategic investment. These six pillars — Student Support and Safety, Technology, Curriculum and Assessment, Employees, Finances and Resources, and Facilities — have defined the district’s work and continue to drive meaningful outcomes for Cullman City Schools.”
“When we set out to create this strategic plan, we made a commitment to our stakeholders that it wouldn’t sit on a shelf,” Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff said. “Today, I can say with confidence: commitments made have become commitments delivered. I thank our Board of Education, our principals and all department leaders for keeping our focus on what matters most — student success and community trust.”
Below is the update, provided by the school system.
Student Support and Safety
Concerning Student Support and Safety initiatives, Cullman City Schools has seen chronic absenteeism reduced from 14.51% in 2018 to 8.33% in 2024.
More than $200,000 has been invested annually in School Resource Officers across all five campuses, in addition to $764,000 invested in campus security upgrades, including cameras and door access systems. All campuses and the central office are now equipped with electronic door access control. Cullman City Primary School was honored as a 2024 recipient of the Alabama Attorney General’s Safe Schools Award.
Technology
Staying on the cutting-edge of technology has been a longtime priority at Cullman City Schools, and those initiatives have only grown as part of the ongoing strategic plan. The system continues to see ongoing support of the 1:1 student-to-device ratio with a three-year Chromebook refresh cycle ($335,000 per cycle), along with sustained access to reliable and modern technology in all classrooms.
Curriculum and Assessment
Initiatives driving Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) remain a key focus, and school leaders have implemented a districtwide STEM pipeline (K–12) through Exploratory, Exposure, and Application phases. Career Technical Education (CTE) has also expanded to include Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Engineering, Health Sciences, Animal Science, Marketing and Educators in Training.
The district has also seen myriad gains in student achievement, earning all A’s on the Alabama State Report Card for two consecutive years, with exemplary 2024 Scores at West Elementary (96), CCPS (96), East Elementary (99) and systemwide (95). The ACT Composite Score also climbed to 20 in 2024, rebounding from a 2022 dip. Student achievement in AP programs also increased, with the% of AP students scoring 3+ increasing from 52.32% in 2021 to 79.65% in 2024. Students taking advantage of dual-enrollment also increased from 346 in 2022 to 401 in 2025.
Cullman City Schools was also named a 2022 Alabama Science of Reading Spotlight School System, while East Elementary was honored as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School.
Employees
In the area of supporting employees, the district has used recent years to implement a competitive 2022 compensation package, while also growing the amount of National Board Certified Teachers working in the system. The system has also enhanced onboarding and mentoring programs launched in 2023, and promoted leaders from within, with three principal and four assistant principal roles filled internally.
The central office was also restructured to increase efficiency while keeping administrative costs at 2.65% of the budget (for context, the state average is 4%). Staffing for Cullman City Schools expanded from 359 to 386 full-time employees, with strategic budgeting to maintain many intervention positions funded with limited COVID funds.
Finances and Resources
Finances and resources have also been a key focus, with eight extracurricular/student activity buses replaced, with one more planned in 2026. That is part of a total transportation investment of $985,000.
The district has also maintained a healthy three-month reserve fund annually (well above the state-required minimum of one month). Per-pupil spending has also increased from $10,684 to $12,429.
Facilities (Safety and Growth Plan)
Cullman City Primary School has seen a $15 million investment, including a new second-grade wing with a storm shelter; upgrades to the cafeteria, gym/multipurpose space, playground and media center; and fire alarm and roof improvements.
Cullman Middle School has seen an overall $27 million investment, led by a new 16-18 classroom building with tornado shelter, and performing arts, library, agriscience and administrative areas. Interior renovations are also underway in regard to windows and restrooms. With construction well underway, sixth grade students are set to transition to Cullman Middle School by the end of 2025.
The new Cullman Intermediate School, which will be at the current West Elementary School campus, is seeing a $27 million investment. Work is underway to add a two-story wing and new multipurpose building/storm shelter, along with expanded classrooms for grades 3–5, special education, and fine arts. The concourse is also being enclosed and the cafeteria expanded. The campus’ old gym is also being converted into a modern STEM lab.
Cullman High School is also seeing upgrades with a total $12 million investment led by a Career Tech/STEM Wing, with dedicated manufacturing lab and STEM spaces. The work includes a multi-level, state-of-the-art facility for Cybersecurity, Engineering, Computer Science, Health Science, Marketing and Education Training. There will also be additional classroom capacity created throughout campus, along with increased student parking of over 100 spaces.
For ongoing updates and more details on the strategic plan, visit www.cullmancats.net.
