Board Awards $242,500 Contract for Roof Repairs at Mary Drew Center

Summit Hill School District 161 Meeting | Jan. 21, 2026

Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 Board approved a contract with RB Crowther Roofing to resurface specific sections of the Mary Drew Early Learning Center and Administration Center. The decision aligns with a long-term facility maintenance plan designed to spread large capital expenses over multiple fiscal years.

Roofing Contract Key Points:

• Winning Bidder: RB Crowther Roofing was awarded the contract as the lowest responsible bidder among eight companies.

• Contract Cost: The base bid approved was $242,570.

• Scope of Work: The project includes resurfacing roof sections 1, 13, and 14 at the Mary Drew facility.

• Strategy: The board is addressing roof replacements in sections based on warranty expiration dates to remain fiscally responsible.

FRANKFORT — The Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, authorized a $242,570 contract to repair aging roof sections at the Mary Drew Early Learning Center and Administration Center.

The board selected RB Crowther Roofing following a public bid opening on January 6 that attracted eight contractors. RB Crowther was identified as the lowest responsible bidder.

The project will focus on resurfacing sections 1, 13, and 14 of the building’s roof. Facilities Manager Walter Bruckner III explained that the district manages over 440,000 square feet of roofing and must tackle replacements incrementally to manage the budget.

“When we plan it in pieces, we can be very proactive, long-term sustainable, and fiscally responsible,” Bruckner told the board.

The approved work targets sections where warranties are expiring in 2026. Bruckner indicated that additional sections at Mary Drew—specifically sections 4, 5, and 6—are slated for attention in the following summer.

Board Member Patrick Oliphant expressed support for the segmented approach. “I think it makes it more fiscally responsible when we take sections of the roof and do sections at a time instead of doing a whole roof at one time,” he said.

Bruckner confirmed that he vetted the lowest bidder, speaking directly with RB Crowther representatives to ensure the scope of work was fully understood despite their bid being significantly lower than some competitors.