Jefferson High is set to install a new sound system in the school gymnasium – which doubles as an auditorium – in the coming weeks, and possibly new lighting later in 2026.
The school board allocated more than $28,000 for new speakers and power amps, sub-seam digital signal processors, and a mixing console that are expected to vastly improve sound quality.
And in partnership with the City of Boulder, Jefferson High applied for a $78,000 Montana Main Street Grant for new lighting, though they could receive just a portion of that total when winners are announced in February.
Created by the Montana Department of Commerce and Main Street America, a nonprofit that works to revitalize U.S. downtowns, the Montana Main Street Grants are meant to boost“the economic, historic and cultural vitality of Montana’s downtowns through community development, revitalization and historic preservation”.
In the grant application, Boulder officials emphasized the gym’s role in public forums and the importance of having high-quality sound and lighting at public gatherings. The city could potentially use the gym as a venue to discuss its growth policy, which it is preparing to update.
Jefferson High students and their families will likely benefit most from the new sound and lighting. The school’s theater students have long complained of the outdated light and sound system in the gym, which doubles as their auditorium, according to drama teacher Mike Hesford.
In fact, one reason the actors in a recent production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream ventured into the audience during the show was to overcome the lack of sound projection. Hesford views the new sound system and possible new lighting as a potential game changer.
“We’re dealing with a very old sort of framework that is not user friendly,” Hesford said. “There is a great deal of work involved to get what we get out of our sound and lights [right now].”
