Old School: Local 11 Reenergizes Jefferson High
By Robert Fulton
Members of IBEW Local 11, as well as other trades, will be busy at Jefferson High School in South Los Angeles for years to come.
Jefferson is undergoing an extensive transformation that includes the construction of a new state-of-the-art gym, a new classroom building, a new concessions building, and a maintenance and operations building. Additionally, there will be a new lunch pavilion, athletic fields and more.
Renovations include modernizing the main classroom building and working on the cafeteria, assembly hall and more.
All the work is being done with union electricians working for ILB Electric.
Jefferson opened in 1916. Following significant earthquake damage, the campus was rebuilt in 1936.
The jewel of the new construction is the new gym. Jefferson High is so old that it had his and hers gyms. What was once called the girls gym has been demolished. In its place is a new two-story structure featuring up to six courts on the main floor, retractable bleacher seating, a practice court, locker rooms, an aerobics room and more. A small theater for screenings or live performances will be on the second floor.
Once the new gym is up and running, what was once called the boys gym will also be torn down and replaced with a new building featuring 46 new classrooms.
Work will run into 2028.
The new gym’s design reflects the older aesthetic of the remaining classroom building.
Spencer Mixon has been on the job site for a few weeks.
“We have a lot of work here,” Mixon said. “It’s really cool to see the old historic side of the building and then us bringing in the new side, kind of matching the design. We’re trying to keep the old look to it. It’s pretty cool work to do.”
Dion Mitchell has worked at the site for more than two years. He’s seen the new gym rise from just dirt to the impressive structure it is today.
“I feel proud,” Mitchell said. “When I come in and see something that we’ve done, I did that. To know this is something that’s going to be here for years after I’m gone, it’s nice to know I had a part in that.”
Concurrently, the school’s old classroom building from the 1930s is undergoing an extensive remodel. Students are temporarily learning in bungalows.
The renovation of Jefferon’s old school building is a juxtaposition to the new construction of the gym. Jose Carrillo explained that navigating an older building poses challenges.
“There’s some design issues,” Carrillo said. “ We have to become the engineer at times and give options to getting the work actually done, not just on paper but physically.”
“Being highly trained and highly skilled, we see that everything that we did in our apprenticeship actually comes to fruition when we’re out in the field solving problems,” Carrillo added.
Construction at an active high school is challenging. The work is being done on a small footprint, and classes are in session. Noise and logistics are two topics discussed at the morning huddle.
“Just got to be mindful,” said foreman Chris Bonilla. “Safety is number one, especially when it comes to the kids.”
Bonilla explained that the Los Angeles Unified School District presents another level of code on top of the usual requirements.
“LAUSD has their own way of doing things, way of seeing things,” Bonilla said. “At the end of the day, it’s a building. Electrical is electrical.”
Iosif Oncu has been at the job site since March and has good things to say about the process.
“It’s very organized,” Oncu said. “We have a strong support from our Superintendent.”
For Michael Espinoza, who is in his first year of apprenticeship, it’s been a learning experience.
“I’ve learned a lot,” Espinoza said. “Pulling while seeing a little bit of single-line material. Learning how to handle material. Working side by side with the journeymen.”
