On the Jobsite: Local 11 Brings Compton High School to Life

Union electricians craft a cutting-edge campus

By Robert Fulton

It makes a lot of sense that a first-class high school would be built by first-class IBEW Local 11 electricians.

About 15 Local 11 members working for Taft Electric were onsite at the brand new Compton High School during a recent visit, down from a peak of 40.

The new Compton High School broke ground in 2022 and is expected to be ready to house 2,500 students starting with the next school year in August.

Once completed, the new school will be one of the most impressive learning institutions in the area. A new state-of-the-art performing arts center, academic building and athletic facilities, including a swimming pool and football stadium, are included. Students will have the opportunity to learn everything from A/V Technology, Construction Manufacturing and Graphic Arts to Communications, Robotics and Culinary Arts.

None other than Dr. Dre donated $10 million for the 1,200-seat performing arts theater.

Taft Superintendent Brandon Parlopino is a fourth-generation IBEW member, third generation Local 11. He’s spent 15 years in the union and has worked on projects including the new Staples Center scoreboard in 2010, the Dodger Stadium renovations in 2020, the Secret Life of Pets ride at Universal Studios and the two Long Beach towers. But nothing has been like this.

“This one is probably the most iconic for myself because I’ve been here from the beginning to the end,” he said. “I’ve been on a lot of other big projects, but never saw them all the way through from start to finish. This one is probably one of my favorites.”

Zach Smith, a General Foreman with Taft and a 13-year Local 11 member, has been amazed by the high-quality product his team is installing.

“Probably the big highlight is the theater,” Smith said. “This is like a full professional concert auditorium. It’s pretty wild. The amount of stage lighting that’s gone into it is pretty impressive.”

Foreman Christina Johnson has been on the jobsite since August. She’s worked in all three main buildings – theater, academic, and gym. The theater itself provided plenty of opportunities.

“It’s a lot more complex than some of the other stuff I’ve done,” she said.

Andrew Richards was organized into the union and came on board in July. An Army veteran, he was working non-union and doing a lot of tenant improvement work. Now he’s an apprentice mastering the trade and learning about the union.

“I’ve just been going steady,” Richards said. “I was very eager to prove some of my prior knowledge already and just be a good asset to the team and always contribute.”

“It’s like solving a puzzle every day,” Richards continued. “I get that satisfaction every day going home knowing that I was able to solve problems for people and also provide a service. People are going to be able to use this facility for years and years to come, and to know that I had a part in it every time I drive by is the coolest part to me.”

Corey Charles and Jerry Olague are part of the Sound and Communications crew. Charles just turned out.

“My parents knew a guy who was in Local 11,” Charles said. “He talked me into it and helped me get my head straight and join. I feel like it’s better than sitting down at a desk doing a bunch of computer work.”

Olague has been a member of IBEW Local 11 since 2000, with a short break following the 2008 recession. He’s been at the Compton High site for about a year.

“It’s a good pace, but we’re getting towards the end, so right now it’s crunch time,” he said. “I can’t say stressful, but exciting at the same time”