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
7/11/2024 Luis Lopez, Bakersfield City School District takes 2 nd Place in Transit Category at the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Austin, Texas
Drivers from 26 states competed at the 50 th Edition of the School Bus Driver International Safety Competition in Austin, Texas this past weekend and California’s very own, Luis Lopez from Bakersfield City School District won 2 nd Place. Luis was crowned the CASTO California State Roadeo Champion on Memorial Day Weekend and with that win qualified to compete against the countries best school bus drivers. “Wow, this year has been an absolute dream, competing for the State of California and representing my school district, Bakersfield City!” said Luis. “This experience has been incredible. So many great drivers from all over the country and even the best from Canada. We gave it our best and it was not easy, but California took 2nd place this year. But (we) will work twice as hard next year to make sure we bring home the 1st place title in 2025.” “I would also like to encourage all of our California drivers to compete and keep growing our CASTO Family so we can put our best drivers against everyone else in the Nation. Lastly, I would like to thank Doug Smith and Antonio Perez and all the CASTO staff and all the volunteer judges, nothing would be possible without any of them. California rocks!” Luis would also like to thank his Bakersfield City family and everyone in Chapter 12 for supporting him. On behalf of CASTO, Congratulations Luis on a job well done! We are all proud of you. 06/10/2024
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Team More photos can be found on the Roadeo page 
Local Chapter EventsAre 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. | Presidents MessagePresidents Message: Winter 2024
The holiday season is a time for reflection, celebration, and rest. Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply enjoying the warmth of the season, I hope this time brings you joy, peace, and well-deserved relaxation with your loved ones. Looking ahead to 2025, I am excited to share details about our Annual State Conference, happening February 21–24, 2025, at the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. This year's conference promises to be a highlight of the year, offering insightful sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and unforgettable events. Keynote Speaker: Patric Mulick
Saturday Night Dinner and Entertainment: "Rock of Ages"Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Saturday Night Dinner and Entertainment, themed "Rock of Ages." After a delicious dinner, we’ll rock out with Journeymen – A Tribute to Journey and More (learn more about the band here), bringing the iconic hits of Journey and other rock legends to life. Dress in your favorite rock-inspired attire and get ready for a fun-filled night of music, connection, and celebration. Sunday Night Social Event: Hollywood!After the Vendor Meet and Greet, join us for a Sunday Night Social Event – Hollywood! Experience Tinseltown with a TMZ bus tour and time on the Walk of Fame. It’s a fantastic way to bond with colleagues while exploring some of Hollywood's most iconic sights. The cost is $62, and tickets are limited to 75, so be sure to reserve your spot early! Conference Highlights
For the full conference schedule, visit the 2025 Annual State Conference Program Matrix. Registration is now open at www.castoways.org, and spots are filling up quickly! Don’t miss out on what promises to be an exceptional conference. CASTO Board ElectionsA reminder to cast your vote for the Professional/Associate Representative seat on the CASTO Executive Board. Voting closes on January 18, 2025, and results will be announced at the conference, where the newly elected representative will be installed. You can review the candidates’ bios here: Darrell Clark and Karen Knight. As we move into 2025, I am filled with excitement for all the opportunities that lie ahead. I hope to see many of you at the conference, where we’ll learn, connect, and celebrate our shared commitment to excellence in school transportation. Wishing you and your families a safe and happy New Year, filled with joy, success, and continued inspiration! Warmest regards, Mike Sawyer | President
Chapter HighlightsCASTO Chapter 2 Update We are thrilled to report that our recent CASTO Chapter 2 Safety Workshop was a resounding success, with approximately 75 participants registered! Our keynote speaker, Francisco Padilla, Director of Palmdale, inspired attendees with his motivational story about his journey as a driver. He emphasized the importance of continuous growth in the field and shared insights from his experience in training. Francisco also led a session on loading and unloading, highlighting key safety practices. Additional classes included Jeff Vogt from Placentia Yorba Linda, who expertly covered air brake safety, and Marcus Zapata from Whittier, who discussed public and community relations. Alejandro Valdivia, an independent instructor with a rich background from Norwalk La Mirada and Zum, wrapped up the sessions by explaining the exemptions of VC 22112. Feedback from drivers was overwhelmingly positive, praising both the quality of the classes and the expertise of our instructors. To top off the event, we held several raffles sponsored by Model 1, AZ Bus Sales, HopSkipDrive, and the Centralia School District, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this workshop a success. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
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 348120 Sacramento, CA 95834 Chapter Assignments
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Congratulations to the 2024 State Championship Roadeo Winners!
As we close out 2024 and welcome the holiday season, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all the incredible work you do to ensure the safety and success of California’s students. Your commitment to excellence in school transportation continues to inspire me, and I’m proud to serve alongside such dedicated professionals.
We are thrilled to welcome Patric Mulick, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and certified speaker, trainer, and coach with the John Maxwell Team. Patric’s expertise in supporting students with disabilities, along with his engaging presentation style, will provide us with invaluable tools to better serve all students. His keynote promises to be both motivational and practical, helping us approach the challenges of school transportation with renewed passion and purpose.
