California Association of School Transportation Officials

Annual  State Conference registration is open!  Additional information can be found on the Annual State Conference webpage.

School Bus Safety Poster Contest 2022-2023 Theme is: "Safely Rolling to My Destination" Check out the webpage for more information.

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

Historic 2022 Budget Act Boosts Home-to-School Transportation Funding

On June 30, Governor Newsom signed the 2022 Budget Act and accompanying education budget trailer bills into law. These will provide California schools with the largest boost in funding for Home-to-School Transportation, ever! Roughly $637 million will help schools provide and acquire additional HTST services.

The Budget Act also creates a zero-emission school bus program, which will allocate at least $1.5 billion over five years to get some of the oldest, dirtiest buses off the roads and replace them with zero-emission or fully-electric buses. Part of the funding will be available for charging and re-fueling infrastructure.

Industry News

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: Fall

Fall is here!

I hope you all had a great start-up for the 22-23 school year. I know so many districts have struggled with the school bus driver shortage and, if you haven’t, you are extremely lucky. Many districts are now offering more guaranteed hours and sign-on bonuses to attract school bus drivers. I know one thing, we all have to be creative and think “outside the box” to attract school bus drivers. Retaining school bus drivers is also very challenging. The training, testing and on-going requirements is tough in many folks’ eyes. Throw a global pandemic in the mix and it becomes more difficult. So many folks in the industry have jumped ship and retired from many positions within the industry. Many of us are also wearing more than one “hat”, performing our regular job duties, driving students, training, etc.

Always remember to stay humble, be patient and make sure to have some fun. Positivity versus negativity, smiling versus not and making each day a great one is our choice. Life and work balance are important for all of our health. Don’t forget to smile and take time to smell the roses. We’re all in this together.

Last, but not least, volunteer at your local CASTO chapter. Every chapter is always looking for new folks to step up, give back and help make a difference to make their local chapter better. Questions? Call me. Email me. Call anyone on the executive board or your local chapter. All of our contact information is on the castoways.org website. Take the plunge! I did in 2008 and it seriously made a difference in my career in this amazing industry that I am proud to be a part of to this day.

I hope everyone is as excited as I am about the CASTO workshops in several local chapters. Also, we will be hosting the CASTO 55th Annual Conference at the Burbank Airport Marriott on February 25 – 27, 2023. Then comes ROADEO Season! ALL IN PERSON! Hooray! Hurrah! Halleluiah! 

Cordially,

Matthew Thomas | President
California Association of School Transportation Official's


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 2022 Safety Poster Contest Winner


Andres Rapeta
Orange Glen High School
Escondido, California

castoways.org | 855.227.8668

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