“Spotlight on Success” – OSC's Monthly eNewsletter!

Get an inside look at the inspiring stories, innovative initiatives, and expert insights shaping Ohio’s schools. Each month, Spotlight on Success will highlight the achievements of OSC and its member districts, sharing strategies, triumphs, and lessons that can spark ideas in your own district. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate the people and programs making a real difference in education across Ohio!

When Manchester Local Schools began seeing worsening roof leaks during winter freeze-thaw cycles, Superintendent Gary Hinton knew the district could not wait. The project took place during Hinton’s first year as superintendent, when he was balancing urgent facility needs alongside district leadership.

Before contacting OSC, the district had already received a roofing quote that was significantly higher than expected, raising concerns about how much work could realistically be completed.

“It started with a simple call,” Hinton said. “I called OSC and said, ‘We have a roof issue. Can you help?"



As a long-standing OSC member, Manchester turned to OSC’s pre-negotiated, pre-bid roofing contract process. Through the cooperative program, the district was connected with Engineered Systems, an OSC preferred partner, which recommended a Single-Ply Duro-Last roofing system, a solution known for its long-term durability, strong warranty coverage, and frequent cost advantages when compared to traditional roofing systems.

The Duro-Last system provides a 25-year labor and material warranty and includes full replacement coverage that accounts for inflation, helping protect the district from future cost increases over the life of the roof.

“We didn’t see a lot of issues with rain, but snow and ice, that freeze-thaw is where we really started to see issues,” Hinton said. “That’s where I began to see firsthand how bad the roofs really were.”

A Clear Wake-Up Call

Hinton said the urgency became even clearer during a listening tour with students.

“I went to the elementary school, and the kids said, ‘Make the roof stop leaking. Get rid of all the buckets,’” he shared. “That’s when I started making a ton of phone calls.”

Cost Savings Expanded the Project Scope

Manchester initially planned to address just one building. However, by leveraging OSC’s cooperative purchasing process and selecting the right roofing solution for their facilities, the district achieved substantial savings, enough to expand the project to three of its four buildings, representing approximately 75% of the district’s total roof area.

By working through the OSC’s process, Engineered Systems helped bring in qualified roofing expertise and develop a practical solution for the district’s foam roofing system over Tectum decking. This approach reduced risk, avoided unnecessary tear-off, and significantly lowered total project cost.

“We were able to save a million dollars on the project,” Hinton said. “We were able to do all three buildings for what it would have cost to do one building.”



Long-Term Protection and Ongoing Support

The completed work included a 25-year warranty and inspection steps designed to ensure quality before the warranty is issued. Hinton also noted the district has continued to receive responsive support when follow-up needs arise.



“The process was really easy to keep working through,” Hinton said.

Planning Ahead with OSC

According to Mike Gottron of Engineered Systems, February is an ideal time for districts to line up summer roofing projects. Contractors are building schedules during this period, which can lead to better project management and stronger availability.

Manchester credited OSC’s pre-negotiated contract process with saving time and helping the district stay ahead of the tight summer construction window.

“It saved a ton of time,” Hinton said. “That process sped us forward.”



For districts that may only use one OSC program today, Hinton encourages them to explore additional opportunities.

“Reach out to OSC,” he said. “Get creative, think through it, and you’re bound to save your district some money or find a better solution.”