Please note our new address, PO Box 340544, Sacramento, CA 95834
Welcome to the California Association of School Transportation Officials "CASTO" webpage. Here you will be able to sign up, renew, or update your membership, register for upcoming events and receive important information in regards to California's School Pupil Transportation Industry. Upcoming events
Chapter WorkshopsPlease see the Upcoming Events - Roadeo Page for more Chapter Roadeo summaries and results
Chapter 1's second workshop was a total success and did not disappoint. We were fortunate to enjoy a beautiful, sunny day, which made for a perfect outdoor picnic lunch and an even better overall experience.
Most importantly, the energy was electric as we welcomed 83 dedicated participants—a fantastic turnout that shows just how committed our transportation community is to excellence in school transportation.
Aquinas High School’s San Bernardino facility and staff were on-site bright and early, ensuring we had access to all necessary areas well before the workshop began. Their support and preparation played a key role in the smooth execution of the day.
A huge thank you goes out to our generous sponsors—RIDE Bus, AZ Bus, Schools First, and Model 1. Their continued support helped make this workshop possible, and we are incredibly grateful for the commitment and partnership.
A round applause for our presenters who gave up a Saturday or while on duty showed to help enlighten our attendees! Thank you! • CHP Officer Ivan Sandoval, CHP/PIO San Bernardino Being Safe with Today’s Challenges • San Bernardino County Sherriff Deputy Cody Becker and his team, Opioid Awareness & Safety for School Transportation • Julie Reyes, Driver Instructor/Independent Ins and Outs and Ups and Downs of Field Trips • Kelly La Ponsey, Driver Instructor/Durham Student Services Got Brakes????
We’re excited to keep the momentum going and look forward to what’s next!”
On February 7, 2026, CASTO Chapter 4 celebrated a landmark moment—the first in-person workshop since the pandemic—by bringing together an enthusiastic crowd of 87 participants for a day of camaraderie, hands-on learning, and community spirit. The agenda was filled with energy, featuring high-impact sessions such as “Active Shooter/First Observer” certification and scenario-based drills, followed by a practical deep dive into “Railroad Crossing Safety” and a lively discussion on “It’s All About Safety: Rules and Regulations.” Attendees actively engaged in each session, asking thoughtful questions, sharing experiences, and strengthening the collaborative network that makes CASTO thrive. A special thank-you goes to our sponsor, BYD—particularly Jason Shi—for keeping everyone fueled with fresh Starbucks coffee and a generous supply of Porto’s, turning an already memorable day into an unforgettable celebration of safety and solidarity.     SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – On January 31, 2026, C.A.S.T.O. Chapter 9 hosted a high-impact training workshop featuring a powerhouse lineup of industry experts: Stephanie Oliver (CDE-OST): Shared vital expertise on "No Student Left Behind." Tony Verdugo (SLO Sheriff Gang Task Force): Delivered a powerful session on local safety trends and route awareness. Vincent Evans and Tom Mitchell (CA Operation Lifesaver): Led an interactive presentation on railroad safety. Antonio Perez (San Dieguito Union HSD): Presented on the fundamentals of ROADEO. His session began with a classroom presentation then moving to the Cuesta College parking lot for an opportunity for attendees to test their skills. Building Team Spirit The day also featured a high-energy Rock-Paper-Scissors tournament. This exercise built camaraderie and mirrored the friendly spirit of a Roadeo, turning participants into "Super Fans" for their teammates. Drivers reported they had a great time and walked away having learned a significant amount of actionable safety information.  
Chapter 14 had an amazing day with more than 40 in attendance at our January 24th Roadeo workshop. Training included the parallel park, stop right turn, backup stall, offset alley and the sharp backing crossover. Everyone that attended was pleased with the outcome.
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, Chapter 7 hosted a workshop titled "Remembering the Past, Protecting the Future". We covered five tragedies that changed the school bus industry. -Paul Lee (2016) Child check devices -Fox River (1995) Railroad Crossings -Thomas Lanni (1994) Red Lights and Escorts -Elk Grove (1985) Distracted driving -Martinez (1976) Dual Air Breaks, Proficiencies, Training, Bus Body Improvements It was a great turnout. We had 89 attendees, more than we can remember having. Thank you to our sponsors, Everdriven and A to Z Bus Sales. Our next workshop will be a virtual one on March 7, 2026 from 8:00am - 11:30am.
| Presidents MessageApril, 2026 Dear CASTO Members, As we move through April, the end of the 2025–26 school year is quickly approaching. With warmer weather and field trips at their peak, this is a time to remain especially diligent in our commitment to safety. In recognition of the dedication you demonstrate every day to keeping California’s students safe, April 28, 2026, has been declared School Bus Drivers’ Day. The official Senate Resolution (SCR 157), introduced by Senator Cortese and coauthors, will be read on the Senate floor on April 27. It will read: WHEREAS, Annually, on the fourth Tuesday of April, the People of California officially recognize all school bus drivers for their continued and excellent services to the youth of the state, and these drivers are deserving of special public recognition and the highest commendations; and WHEREAS, The California Association of School Transportation Officials is a professional organization that promotes safe pupil transportation and advocates for continued high standards for California’s school bus drivers; and WHEREAS, The safety of our children rests in the hands of trained school bus drivers for up to six or seven hours each school day; and WHEREAS, Personal time and energy are expended by school bus drivers in their initial training, maintaining a current license, perfecting their driving skills, and accruing added knowledge of school bus laws through continuing education classes; and WHEREAS, School bus drivers, through counseling and disciplinary techniques, are sometimes asked to assist pupils in appropriate interactive peer and adult behavior; and WHEREAS, School bus drivers often face natural and unexpected hazards in the performance of their duties; and WHEREAS, School bus drivers exhibit patience and kindness toward pupils, parents, and school staff in the performance of their duties; and WHEREAS, School bus drivers consistently demonstrate an awareness of, and direct attention to, the mechanical maintenance of the school bus and safety conditions of the school bus routes; and WHEREAS, School bus drivers perform their services for thousands and thousands of accident-free miles, year after year; now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates April 28, 2026, as School Bus Driver’s Day in California, in order to draw special public attention to school bus drivers for their continued and excellent services to pupils in California; and be it further We encourage all of you to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the important work being done across our departments. Speaking of recognition, a huge shout out to Perrin Turney, bus driver for Kneeland School, who has been named the CDE Classified Employee of the Year! Perrin hails from Chapter 18 and has the qualities of a future transportation leader. Congratulations Perrin! Link to news article Looking ahead, we are excited for our upcoming State Roadeo on May 24 in Bakersfield. Following that, our next state event will be the Mechanics & Maintenance Supervisor Workshop and Trade Show, July 17–18, 2026, in Tahoe Truckee. We hope to see many of you at these events. Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to student safety each and every day. Warm regards, Chrissie Stevenson | President
**On February 20, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Request for Information regarding the Clean School Bus Program. Comments are due to EPA by April 6, 2026. Specifically, EPA states in the notice that they are planning a new funding opportunity under the Clean School Bus Program to encourage broad participation and fleet turnover by providing school districts with greater choice in school bus technology, while strengthening oversight and compliance. EPA is inviting public comment to inform the Agency’s understanding of the availability of alternative fuels and associated technologies in the medium- and heavy-duty school bus sector. The Request for Information can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-20/pdf/2026-03351.pdf Mobile Membership Access | Google Play Store
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Why Should You Be a CASTO Member?This document will aid you with answering the question..."Why should I be a CASTO Member?" Looking for a career change? Check out our Job Announcements page CASTO's Official AddressCASTO PO Box 340544 Sacramento, CA 95834 Chapter Assignments
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