CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman City Schools hosted a community open house Sunday, Jan. 11, with City and State officials cutting the ribbon on Phase II of the large-scale Cullman Middle School expansion project. The event offered residents a first look at newly completed instructional spaces.
The Cullman City School Board in summer 2021 set the vision of providing a safe and modern campus for CMS students that offers adequate academic space and the ability to provide multiple extracurricular opportunities, the school system said. Ground was broken in May 2022, and students and educators have now officially moved into the state-of-the-art facility that replaces some of the oldest buildings in the district.
“Many of us have driven by the corner of Oak Street and Second Avenue over the past few years and have seen the transformation of this campus from the ground up,” Cullman City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff said. “Something like this doesn’t happen without everyone working together, and we are thankful to the mayor and Cullman city council for their support in our capital plan. We are excited about this campus and the opportunities it will provide for our current students and for many generations to come.”
Kallhoff said Phase II includes several core curriculum learning classrooms along with specialized spaces, including a modern media center, band and choir rooms, agriculture and consumer science classrooms, an art studio, two science labs, a STEM lab, an FACS lab, an agriscience lab, a health science classroom and a special needs classroom where students can begin working on independent living and transition skills. The expansion allows programs that previously lacked dedicated space to spread out while supporting hands-on learning, which Kallhoff said is a priority for teachers and students. Many of the new classrooms are designed for lab-based instruction and feature updated technology and furnishings.
Kallhoff said the primary goals of the project are to improve student safety and prepare for continued growth in the city. The additional space will also help the district transition sixth grade to the middle school campus next school year, with renovations planned for older wings to accommodate the change.
Visitors touring the facility saw modern classrooms, new technology and upgraded learning environments, along with views overlooking downtown Cullman and nearby athletic facilities.
Kallhoff said inviting the community to tour the campus is an important way to show how local education funds are being used to modernize schools and invest in both current and future students.
“This doesn’t just represent a new building, but a new chapter for Cullman Middle School and one of the most significant accomplishments here in more than 50 years,” CMS Principal Jake Johnson said. “We appreciate your belief in what this school can be.”
Marie Manning, an Alabama State Board of Education member representing the city of Cullman, noted there is “no lack of vision” in Cullman City Schools.
“There’s something that fills your heart when you’re surrounded by excellence, and in Cullman, you’re surrounded by excellence,” Alabama State Department of Education Superintendent Eric Mackey added.
The ribbon cutting was attended by several state and local officials, including current and former school board members, Alabama Sen. Garlan Gudger Jr., local businessman Roy Drinkard, Cullman City Council members, teachers, administrators and many more.
A few more renovations are left to be done on the CMS campus, including updates to the original gym, which was built in 1936, as well as updates to the 12 classrooms formerly used for seventh grade that will house sixth grade beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
The CMS project is part of a comprehensive Safety and Growth Plan that includes new construction and renovations on all campuses of the Cullman City Schools system.
