California Association of School Transportation Officials

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

Legislative Report

Below is a written report that can be used for this weekend's CASTO state board meeting. My apologies in advance for my absence. I am more than happy to answer any questions that folks have when I get a chance on Sunday/Monday. There is no update on the $1.5 billion schoolbus electrification appropriation until after the May Revision is published.

CASTO State Board 04/30/2022 - Legislative Update

  • SB 878 (Nancy Skinner)
    • Since the January CASTO state board meeting, the proposed SB 878 has been amended to reflect the following:
      • A delayed implementation of the student transportation mandate until 2027-28
      • Modified appropriation to cover 100% of the approved costs for local educational agencies, regional occupation centers, and joint powers authorities based on the 2020-21 SACS code function 3600
    • The bill was approved by the Senate Education Committee 6-0
    • The bill currently rests on the Senate Suspense File, which will be handled on Friday, May 19, 2022
  • AB 2933 (Patrick O'Donnell)
    • This is a competing bill with SB 878 that uses the same funding methodology, however it does not include a mandate to provide HTST services to all students in all schools
    • The bill was __________ by the Assembly Education Committee (** I will provide an update on Wednesday following the hearing
  • AB 2731 (Phil Ting)
    • This bill requires all purchases or leases of school buses, beginning in 2035, to be for zero-emission vehicles only
    • The bill was approved by the Assembly Education Committee 7-0
    • The bill will be placed on the Assembly Appropriations Committee Suspense File, which will be handled on Friday, May 19, 2022
  • AB 2410 (Phillip Chen)
    • This bill would prohibit local educational agencies from contracting with HTST agencies or services, unless those agencies or services have been insured and licensed to provide HTST services in California schools.
    • The bill was pulled from the Assembly Education Committee at the behest of the author


Industry News

Bus Driver Hailed as Hero!
07/26/2021

Dear CASTO Family,

On Monday, July 26, 2021, a small plane crashed in Truckee. The crash took place at the edge of the Ponderosa Golf Course on Reynold Way. At the same time, one of our Tahoe Truckee Unified School District (TTUSD) bus drivers, Derek Bosserman, was traveling on Reynold Way with eight students and two staff members from a summer program were on board.

The crash happened just 50 feet away from them, (front of the bus) and everyone on the bus was safe. Like all of our school bus drivers, Derek is well trained for emergencies. Despite all that was going on around him, he remained calm and his first priority was his students and their safety. He made sure all of the students were okay and then backed his bus away from the explosion and flames.

The plane crash is a terrible tragedy and we are so grateful that no bystanders were injured. 

The Tahoe Truckee community has expressed their gratitude to Derek and the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District’s Board of Education will recognize his exemplary handling of a very traumatic incident at their next board meeting on August 4, 2021. 

Earlier this year, Derek was named the Transportation Employee of the Year for TTUSD and all of Placer County. 

Safety is a top priority for TTUSD and all of our school bus drivers go through extensive training to be prepared for a situation like this. We are incredibly proud of Derek and his handling of this situation is a testament to the rigor of their training. 

Below is an interview Derek gave to ABC10, aired on Tuesday night at 11:00 p.m.

We are beyond thankful that no students were hurt as a result of this tragic crash.

Truckee plane crash: Bus driver hailed as hero after near miss | abc10.com

Warm regards,


Nanette R. Rondeau

Director of Transportation

Tahoe Truckee Unified School District

CASTO Chapter Six President

(530) 550-0740

The CASTO Road Map on Guidance to Reopening Pupil Transportation

The original version of The CASTO Road Map on Guidance to Reopening Pupil Transportation was released on August 21, 2020.  This living document is intended to provide recommendations and guidelines for best practices to build sustainable mitigation efforts against COVID-19 for the safe operation of school buses in the State of California during this pandemic.  On January 14, 2021 California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released additional guidance in their document COVID-19 and Reopening In-Person Instruction Framework & Public Health for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-2021 School Year.  Guidance in this document produced the following changes and additions of The CASTO Road Map on Guidance to Reopening Pupil Transportation.

Road Map on Guidance to Reopening Pupil Transportation

California Department of Education Virtual Training

CDE IB 20-66 Virtual Training.pdf

Local Chapter Events

Are you in need of in-service training?  Looking for more information regarding local School Bus training events?  Head over to our Chapter Events Page to see what's going on in your area.

Alternative Fuels Tax Credit (AFTC)

The Alternative Fuels Tax Credit for natural gas vehicles and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit for natural gas refueling stations has been extended.  With this credit, America's school districts can provide exhaust-free rides to school.  The program provides for retroactive claims for 2018, 2019 and is extended out to December 31, 2020.  For more information, please visit,  https://www.ngvamerica.org/2019/12/17/ngvamerica-applauds-inclusion-of-aftc-in-year-end-spending-bill/


Presidents Message

Presidents Message: Summer

Here we are in the first week of May. Spring flowers are in bloom, the CASTO Annual Conference just finished up, and the Tuesday before that was School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. School Bus Driver Appreciation Day has always been one of my favorite days. It is such an honor to highlight and celebrate our amazing California Bus Drivers. I love the words “Bus drivers lead the way in education.” I’m always proud to say we are the safest state out of all 50 states! All California school bus drivers are to be commended for our state’s safety record and their hard work day in and day out to keep our most precious cargo safe in their care.

I can’t believe we all soon will be putting the 2021-2022 school year behind us. Are you all ready for summer school and the 2022-2023 school year? I know many districts were ahead of the game and implemented SB 328, which is the Senate Bill requirements for grades 9 – 12 start time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m. and grades 7 – 8 no earlier than 8:00 a.m. As we all know, there will be challenges that come with this, especially for K-12 districts. The challenges will include bell schedule changes for elementary to start earlier, sports trips, and the possible need for more routes and drivers. We also know one very big challenge is acquiring, training, and retaining professional school bus drivers. There are so many jobs available now that it makes the job market that much more competitive. In my many years of experience and networking, there is one thing I hear and often say “we always get the job done shorthanded or not.”

Our next CASTO event will be in-person at the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Transportation Department. The Mechanic’s and Maintenance Supervisor Workshop and Trade Show will be held Thursday and Friday, July 21, 22, 2022. I hope to see you there!

I want to wish you all a very smooth close to the 2021 – 2022 school year and wish you a peaceful and restful summer; and I hope you all have a chance to have some fun too.

Cordially,

Matt Thomas, 2022-2023 CASTO State President

Why Should You Be a CASTO Member?

This document will aid you with answering the question..."Why should I be a CASTO Member?"

Why CASTO.pdf

Looking for a career change? 

Check out our Job Announcements page

CASTO's Official Address

CASTO

PO Box 348120

Sacramento, CA 95834

CASTO 2020 Safety Poster Contest Winner


Bethany Smith, 7th Grade
Bridgeville Elementary School
Bridgeville, California


CASTO Bingo is held at 7919 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95621

Transportation Leadership Academy

Get the essential instruction you need to enhance your transportation career.



Our Transportation Leadership Academy is designed for school business professionals aspiring to or already working in a transportation management or leadership role who are interested in earning a CASBO Director of Transportation Certification. Supervisors, directors and managers are encouraged to attend.

This intensive program (held one weekend each month for 10 months) offers a collegial and cooperative atmosphere intended to provide the education and networking you need to gain an understanding of the dedication, care and compassion necessary for leadership, as well as the tools necessary to thrive beyond the academic environment.

Get the essential instruction you need to enhance your transportation career … and boost your LEA’s capacity. Register for one of our upcoming sessions today!

Two New Sessions Scheduled

Registration Now Open!

Southern California

Begins April 22, 2022

Orange CDE

Costa Mesa, CA

REGISTER

Northern California

Begins August 26, 2022

Twin Rivers USD

Sacramento, CA

REGISTER

Learn about and attain proficiency in technical management topics, including:
  • School bus laws and regulations governing operations, instructor certifications, driver training and vehicle maintenance
  • Budget and finance issues, including the Standardized Account Code Structure financial reporting system, operational and capital budgeting, purchasing, inventory, payables and payroll
  • Personnel issues relative to the California Education Code, employment best practices, employee evaluations and leaves, collective bargaining, and conducting investigations
  • Legal issues relative to ethics, sexual harassment training, child abuse reporting, citizen complaints, district policies, board relations, the Brown Act, student discipline and contracting for service
  • School bus operations, best practices and comparative metrics relative to shop operations and vehicle maintenance, facility operations, dispatch and routing, appropriate staffing, driver training and record keeping
  • General management topics such as business writing and presentation skills, as well as enhanced management and situational leadership skills that will enhance your success and that of your transportation department

Need assistance with Transportation Leadership Academy?

certification@casbo.org

(916) 562-2505


Chapter Assignments


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