Brian McCarley, on behalf of Lemoine Construction, told the Cullman City School Board on Monday, Oct. 16, how phase one of the Cullman Middle School project was less than two months from completion and crews have already begun preparing for phase two which includes the demolition of the “round building.”

Currently, the main focus is adding interior finishes such as tiling, flooring and millwork, but workers were also preparing to shift their attention to the building’s exterior to complete campus sidewalks and parking lot, McCarley told the board. An above-ceiling inspection for the buildings ground floor was scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 26, but on-site foremen are hopeful to also have the second floor completed ahead of the inspection.

The projected phase one completion date is Dec. 15.

McCarley said crews have slowly begun creating a new “lay down” area — where materials are stored — for the project’s upcoming phase. Phase two will begin on Dec. 18. Workers’ first priority will be to install perimeter fencing around the construction area before the demolition of the “round building” will begin.

Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff didn’t offer any specific details, but said he has contacted CMS principal Jake Johnson to begin discussing the possibility of holding a “final farewell” to the building before its demolition.

In other business the board:

• Approved for board member Amy Carter to serve as the Alabama Association of School Boards District 8 director.
• Approved a contract for McKee and Associates, Inc. to replace the track.
• Approved an amended contract with Dr. Bryan Boozer to provide vision services.
• Approved a contract with Montgomery Speech Services to provide speech services.
• Approved the 2023-2024 EL District, McKinney-Vento-Homeless, Foster Care and Cullman City Schools Consolidated plans.
• Approved a contract with Cheryl Potter to conduct speech and language evaluation and treatment.
• Approved a contract with Jackie Kinney to provide monitoring consulting services.
• Approved a contract with Sharon Windham as a student assessment facilitator.
• Authorized the opening of construction depository accounts at Merchants and Premier banks.
• Approved a stipend for Jamie Hampton for completing Neuhaus training.
• Approved an amended contract with Erica Ball, Stacie Owen and Danielle Taylor to provide homebound services.
• Approved a contract to provide after-school tutoring for grades K-5 for teachers Rachel Carden, Kristie Noblett, Cresha Bradley, Tonya Trammell, Maeghan Long, Patricia Johnson and Dianne Phillips.
• Approved for the Cullman High School dance team to travel to Nolensville, Ten. on Oct. 27-28 to compete in the Dance Team Union Regional Competition and to travel to Orlando, Fla. from Feb. 8 until Feb. 13, 2024 to compete in the Dance Team Union National Competition.
• Approved to surplus four school buses which are no longer in the district’s fleet.
• Accepted resignations from Kyle Morris — TEAMS Science teacher at Cullman High School and Vanessa Bagwell — SPED instructional assistant at Cullman City Primary School.
• Approved transfers from Robbie Vantrease — from central office receptionist to instructional assistant at Cullman City Primary School and Lorene Howell — from Cullman City Head Start custodian to Cullman City Primary School custodian.
• Approved the conditional employment of Jeni McCluskey — Long term substitute at Cullman High School and James “Ross” Jochum — Cullman City Head Start custodian.
• Approved an archery supplement for Katie Knop (West Elementary), Emily Smallwood (East Elementary) and Jana Grimes (Cullman Middle School and Cullman High School).