by Staff reports
January 10, 2025
The Cullman Times
Local officials prepare to break ground on the new Cullman Intermediate School project, designed by Lathan Architects, on Thursday, Jan 9th. Patrick Camp | The Cullman Times
One of the most highly anticipated projects in recent Cullman City Schools’ history is officially underway after local officials broke ground on the district’s new Cullman Intermediate School Thursday, Jan. 9. The event marked the beginning of a massive overhaul of the current West Elementary campus announced by the school board last year. Once completed the expanded campus will serve all of the district’s 3rd through 5th-grade students and include a new two-story wing with 18 new classrooms and administrative spaces. The new facility will also bring classroom upgrades and increased security to West Elementary’s existing spaces. The existing gym will be converted into a STEM lab for students and the library and cafeteria will also be expanded to accommodate the increased number of students.
The completed project will feature up-to 14 classrooms per grade level, self-contained special education classrooms, resource special education classrooms, an English language learners and speech room, a music room, art room, gifted room, and lab space. “This moment is 20 years in the making,” Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff said during the groundbreaking ceremony. “There are so many people to thank, including the school board, mayor and city council, and all the parties involved in getting this project off the ground. I also want to thank West Elementary and principal Jay Page in advance for their patience and flexibility to come over the next two years.” Current predictions estimate the campus will be open in time for the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year.
The school board secured funding for the $24 million dollar project in November 2024 after the city of Cullman pledged a portion of its half-cent sale tax to the school system for the duration of the board’s bond. During the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Mayor Woody Jacobs said he preferred to think of the project more as “an investment” rather than an “expense.” “I’m thankful for the work the city council has done in recent years to grow the economy and make a project like this more viable,” Jacobs said. “We are very excited.”
