California Association of School Transportation Officials

Annual  State Conference registration is CLOSED!  We have reached maximum capacity.

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

Industry News

Tragic News involving two CASTO members...
December 22, 2022

It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness I write this email on behalf of the entire CASTO family. Matt Sousa and his son Jason passed away in a tragic accident on Monday December 19, 2022. The Past President of Chapter 13 Justin Gregori suffered life threatening injuries trying to assist Matt and his three children who were in a second jeep. Justin is on life-support. Matt's other two children survived. Justin is the Operations Manager and Matt is the Manager of Fleet and Facilities for West County Transportation Agency in Sonoma County. *LATEST UPDATE @ 4:30 p.m.* Life support was removed and Justin gained his angel's wings.

What is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year has turned tragically upside down for these families and their close friends. Please keep their families close in your thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.

If you find it in your heart and are able to help the family of Matt Sousa please consider donating. There are links below.

Sincerely,

Matthew Thomas

CASTO State President

https://helpahero.com/campaign/sonoma-county-united-caring-for-our-community

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sousa-family-tragedy?qid=849789858b429b829ecce63959bf8579

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kendra-sousa-family?qid=15503a7da927b83f4027dadbc6bf6885

Below is a link to a YouTube video of Justin Gregori's service.
https://youtu.be/_43OxjlyPKQ

Home to School Transportation Reimbursement Program

From the Office of School Transportation...
December 6, 2022

Home-to-School (HTS) Transportation Reimbursement was implemented by Assembly Bill (AB) 181 (Chapter 52, Statutes of 2022) and amended by AB 185 (Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022). It provides reimbursement funding for school districts and county office of education based on the prior year eligible transportation expenditures and prior year Local Control Funding Formula transportation related add-on funding.

The California Department of Education has created a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) website that will assist in the clarification of inquiries the department has received from the industry.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please email youTransportation Programs Consultant.

CDE IB 22-70 (Home to School Transportation Reimbursement Program ) (003).pdf

CASTO Business Management Forum Brings Together California Student Transporters

ByTaylor Hannon-Ekbatani

October 24, 2022

California Association of School Transportation Officials President Matthew Thomas speaking to attendees at the organization's Business Management Forum.California Association of School Transportation Officials President Matthew Thomas speaking to attendees at the organization's Business Management Forum.

The California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO) met in person for the first time in three years.

The three-day Business Management Forum, which took place from Oct. 19 – 21 in Garden Grove, California, included sessions on the new state budget increases for school transportation, transportation of students experiencing homelessness, fleet maintenance, and staff recruitment strategies.

The Exhibitor’s Show and Reception on Oct. 20 showcased the latest in school transportation technology.

During the event, CASTO President Matthew Thomas sat down with School Transportation News to record a live School Transportation Nation podcast. Listen to Thomas speak about the increase in funding and the state mandate to update bell times on Episode 134, published this week, at stnpodcast.com.

The association’s 2023 annual conference takes place Feb. 25-27 in Burbank, California.

https://stnonline.com/news/casto-business-management-forum-brings-together-california-student-transporters/

$.50/Gallon Natural Gas Federal Tax Credit Extension Included in Inflation Reduction Act

October 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act that was recently passed at the Federal level re-authorized the alternative fuel tax credit.  Compressed Natura Gas, Propane and other fuels qualify.  The law allows eligible users to claim the credit retroactively back through 2022, and extends the credit to December 31, 2024.  

The press release from NGVAmerica is attached here.

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.


Chapter Assignments


Presidents Message

Presidents Message: Spring 2023

Dear Members, Sponsors, and Colleagues,

As I enter my first year as President of the California Association of School Transportation Officials, the Executive Board and I are very excited to lead this association onward and upward.  The constitution & by-laws speak to the primary purpose of this Association to promote traffic safety through education and training in the pupil transportation field.  It is important to remind ourselves why we are here and what we should be doing.  In 1994 the Association's Executive Board developed a Strategic Plan to address issues facing the association during that time.  I’d like to share with you what the plan was as I feel it is still relevant to the association today.   

CASTO Mission Statement
The mission of CASTO is to provide leadership and education opportunities to the passenger transportation community that results in the safest, most cost-effective transportation through professional development, public awareness, and legislative and regulatory advocacy. 

CASTO Beliefs

  • Excellence is enhanced by team effort.

  • Higher expectations promote higher results.

  • Education is a learning process that provides opportunities for achievement.

  • All individuals have value.

  • Uncompromised honesty, integrity, and trust strengthen the association.

  • Open communication and individual access are keys to the association.

  • A safe environment contributes to the health and well-being of all individuals.

CASTO Parameters

  • We will not limit participation or representation of our members.

  • We will work in partnership to achieve the safest passenger transportation possible.

  • We will not accept anything less than excellence in performance.

CASTO Objectives

  • CASTO will be the organization of choice in leadership and training programs in the passenger transportation community.

  • CASTO will be the leader in passenger transportation legislation and regulatory affairs.

  • CASTO will develop strategies to achieve zero injuries in the passenger transportation community.

CASTO Strategies

GOVERNANCE

CASTO will develop a plan that will assist and strengthen the structure and effectiveness of the chapters.

RECRUITMENT and INVOLVEMENT

CASTO will develop and implement a recruitment plan that is directed at increasing a sustaining active membership in all categories.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CASTO will provide quality professional development certification and training programs through coordinated and cooperative efforts based upon the assessed needs of the passenger transportation community.

MARKETING and PUBLIC AWARENESS

CASTO will develop a public awareness and marketing program to educate the passenger transportation community and the general public.

PARTNERSHIPS

CASTO will seek active partnerships in areas of mutual interest with other organizations and the public to coordinate our collective interests.

POLITICAL ADVOCACY

CASTO will coordinate our efforts to aggressively pursue legislation and regulations that support fully funded, safe, and cost-effective passenger transportation services.

MEMBERSHIP

CASTO will continue to develop and implement recruitment plans which will increase membership in all categories.

COMMUNICATION

CASTO will continue to develop a public awareness and marketing program to educate the passenger transportation community and the general public.

FULL FUNDING

CASTO will continue to coordinate efforts to aggressively pursue legislation and regulations that support fully funded and safe passenger transportation services.

I will use this strategic plan to help guide the association as it highlights why I originally became a CASTO member.  However, I can not do this alone.  I need your help, please make a pledge to attend your local CASTO Chapter meetings and workshops, serve on your local boards and committees, and always promote and practice the safe transportation of pupils.  Together we can take this association to greater heights.  Remember, CASTO is a volunteer lead and run association that takes many hands to achieve these goals.  Please reach out to me if you have any questions or needs that may arise.  I am here for you!

Mike Sawyer | President
California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO)


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 2023 Safety Poster Contest Winner

Jaiden Sandoval
6th Grade Special Education
Bryant Elementary, Stanton, California

Legislative Report

To: CASTO State Board of Directors

From: David Neben

Memo: State Legislative and Budget Update

Dear President Thomas and CASTO Board of Directors,

The following memorandum contains informational updates on legislation and budget activities at the state Legislature. Please do not hesitate to contact myself or my staff with questions or concerns related to the material.

Thank you,

David Neben
CEO, Strategic Education Services
1610 R Street, Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
(925) 286-6370

BUDGET UPDATE

The Governor has published his 2023 Budget proposal. As of this quarter’s meeting of the State Board of Directors, we are still awaiting the publication of trailer bill language details to accompany the fiscal appropriations details.

Overall State of the Economy

The Governor’s Budget assumes the state is facing a significant decline in revenue growth over the next couple of fiscal years, beginning with the current year 2022-23. While this is not necessarily a recession, it means that some financial commitments from prior years will have to be either reduced or delayed in order to continue funding statutory ongoing programs like the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).

Electric School Bus Replacement

In discussions with senior staff from the Department of Finance, it was determined that the program to provide $1.5 billion for electric school bus replacement would remain uncut. Approximately $300 million in grant funding will still be available each year during the five-year allocation period.

Home-to-School Transportation

The 2022 Budget Act approved an increase in HTST funding up to 60% of a local educational agency’s costs of providing HTST services, according to SACS code function 3600. This equates to more than $600 million in additional ongoing funding for school transportation, and a total of $1.1 billion overall. The Department of Finance staff has indicated that this program will also remain untouched in determining where to find financial relief for the state budget.

LEGISLATION

The Legislature convened the 2023-24 legislative session on January 4, 2022, introducing a total of 40 new elected officials to the Assembly and Senate. The deadline for all legislators to introduce legislation for the first year of the session is February 17, 2023.

SB 88 (Skinner) – Pupil Transportation: School Pupil Activity Bus: Drivers

Senator Nancy Skinner has introduced SB 88. While the bill is still in “spot-bill” form and only contains legislative intent language, the general idea of the bill presents potential issues for school bus drivers and alleviating the current staffing crisis.

Action: We recommend CASTO maintain a neutral position on this bill until additional amendments have been published.

castoways.org | 855.227.8668

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software