At Douglas, every dollar raised by our community carries meaning—and responsibility. The Douglas Revitalization Fund was originally established to support a new learning center. However, due to circumstances outside of our control, we were required to redirect those funds to other areas of need within the school.
Since that time, the PTA has been intentional and thoughtful about how these funds were reinvested. The library quickly became a top priority, followed closely by the garden center and improvements to various outdoor learning spaces across campus. Each investment was made with one goal in mind: ensuring that the students who worked so hard to raise these funds would benefit from them before moving on.
Our current PTA President, Bette, made it her personal mission to see that the Revitalization Fund was used in its entirety—and used well—during her tenure. One area that quickly rose to the top of the list was our sound system.
As an Arts and Science Magnet School, Douglas is known for its rich cultural performances, student showcases, and community-wide celebrations. Unfortunately, our sound system did not reflect the caliber of talent on our stage. In fact, it dated back to the early 1990s—so dated that a tape deck was once the star component. Over the years, speakers had failed, and temporary fixes became the norm.
Through sheer dedication and creativity, Ms. Zelasky and the Douglas staff had wired and rigged the system to accommodate newer technology. Outside speakers were perched in front of the stage to compensate for equipment that no longer worked. While these efforts kept performances going, it was clear that a true, long-term solution was needed.
When the PTA approached Ms. Zelasky with the proposal to replace the antiquated system, she was instrumental in ensuring the project would serve Douglas for years to come. She worked closely for months with Strategic Connections, the sound system company, to thoughtfully design a system that met both current and future needs.
The result is nothing short of amazing:
- A new upgraded 32-channel mixer board
- Ten wireless microphones and 3 new wired microphones
- Properly mounted and protected speakers (monitoring speakers and audience speakers) and an amazing subwoofer
- Reconnected ceiling microphones
- Proper wiring for the new system (eliminating the exposed cords, making for a safer, more visually pleasing environment)
- A fully mobile unit that can be used for years to come!
The project began in late spring and was completed just in time for our first cultural performance of the school year—a true milestone moment.
This upgrade is an exciting reflection of the talent, creativity, and professionalism of our students and staff. It was a significant investment, and we are proud to share that the Revitalization Fund has now been fully and thoughtfully invested back into Douglas.
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who showed patience, dedication, and hard work throughout this process. Your impact will be felt for many, many years to come.
So the next time you attend a cultural arts program featuring your Dragon, enjoy the Variety Show, or sing along at our spring musical Willy Wonka, take a moment to appreciate the work behind the scenes—what I’ve lovingly dubbed “The Zelasky Zound Machine.”
douglaspta.com 