1. education
2. school

The Official Publication of the California Association of School Transportation Officials
CastOways
MAY 2015
www.castoways.org
Let’s set our destiny
By nikki hughes
CASTO State President
As we move into the last month of this
school year and I am entering the end of
my term as serving as your President, I enter this time with hope, enthusiasm and
compassion. So how do those relate to
CASTO?
Hope, that people will regain their
need for continued education that supports their profession. This
shouldn’t be
attached only
to money but to
how we continue to create
the environment
that supports
the safety of the
children transnikki hughes
CASTO President
ported as well
as the need to
create a work environment that supports
healthy and balanced work places. I
hope the involvement of transportation
professionals with the organization grows
and that people understand it’s not just
what CASTO can do for me but what
each of you can give to CASTO that helps
the industry as well as individuals, there
is worth and education within all.
Enthusiasm is among several areas to
reference. The first being the movement
of a possible new funding formula to
support the industry we all cherish (one
way or another), enthusiasm about the
new board that will taking the reins in
July (such energy and new ideas to address concerns).
Compassion, it appears for some time
this has been slipping or missing. So
how does compassion play into this
Continued on Page 3
CASTO Mechanic/Supervisor
workshop is ready to go
CASTO is set to hold the Mechanic/Supervisor Workshop June 18 – 19, 2015 in South
Lake Tahoe. The event will give shop personnel and supervisors a day and a half of
extensive training sessions designed to help
mechanics and supervisors in their knowledge and professional growth. The
symposium will
also feature the
“California’s Best
School Bus Technicians and Inspector Competition.”
Classes will include topics on air
conditioning systems, wheelchair lift
repair and troubleshooting, tire maintenance, brakes,
video systems, engine electronic performance, transmissions, emissions
requirements, and
maintenance program assessment.
New to the workshop this year is the California’s Best School Bus
Technicians and Inspector Competition. The
competition is a fun learning experience for everyone. The Technician with the highest score
and the inspector with the highest score from
a combined written and “hands-on” part of the
Greg Straw
CASTOways Editor
With the roadeo season having been well underway for over a month now, preparations are
continuing for the State Championship Roadeo in
Galt on Memorial Day weekend.
About 71 northern contestants met in Galt on
April 25, 2015 to compete in the northern sectional roadeo. Approximately 55 contestants competed in the southern sectional at Morongo on
May 5, 2015. Each roadeo produced 25 qualifying
contestants who will participate in the champion-
Supervisor workshop
Chapters 1, 4, 7 and 10 thank
judges, participants and others
for facilitating and recognizing
roadeo winners.
◆ page 3
competition will earn the opportunity to represent California at the NAPT annual competition in
November in Richmond, Virginia. The California’s
Best event recognizes school bus technicians/
mechanics for the important role they play in
school transportation. The “Best of the Best
Training and Competition” includes
a 1/2 day of training, followed by a
written knowledge
exam plus a “hands
on” competition
to determine the
“Best of the Best”
in California.
Ve n d o r s w i l l
also be in attendance showcasing
the most up-to-date
equipment available to school districts for their fleet.
Registration
forms and complete information and program
schedules are included in this issue of CASTOways and on the CASTO website at
castoways.org. CASTO is committed to providing
professional growth opportunities for transportation personnel and this program is sure to be an
important and valuable learning experience for
all attendees. 
State prepares to crown a new roadeo champ
inside this month’s CASTOways
Chapter News
Safety is Our Business
CASTO provides pre-regisration
form and other pertinent
information for Californa's Best
Mechanic/Supervisors Workshop.
◆ page 5
47th Conference photos
Several presenters and others are
pictured at 47th Annual State
Conference where informative
topics were covered.
◆ pages 8, 9, 11 and 13
ship roadeo to decide the California state winner
on May 24th. The sectional team winners will also
face off in Galt.
Complete results for the sectional events can
be found on the website at castoways.org. In,
addition, our June issue of CASTOways will feature all of the winning contestants from both the
north and south, as well as coverage of the state
championship. This issue will contain pictures of
the drivers who competed and won, and it will be
printed and sent out to all CASTO members.
Good luck in Galt drivers. You are all already
champions for qualifying for the event. 
CASTOways
PO Box 7129
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
prst std
U.S. Postage
paid
permit #36
Perris CA
92586
CASTOways
2  MAY 2015
CASTO • 2014-15
Executive Committee
President.........................................Nikki Hughes
(916) 971-7077 FAX: (916) 971-7079
nhughes@sanjuan.edu
1st Vice President...................Jennifer Hanshew
(661) 827-3199 ext. 51441 FAX: (661) 398-7042
Jennifer_Hanshew@khsd.k12.ca.us
2nd Vice President ..................Christopher Bates
408-201-6323 ext. 60501 FAX: 408-776-1603
batesc@mhusd.org
Secretary..............................................Mark Verch
855-227-8668 FAX: 831-761-2656
castoconference@gmail.com
Treasurer........................................... Katie White
(559) 673-2288 FAX: (559) 673-5845
email: castotreasurer@gmail.com
Immediate Past President ........ Janet Hutchison
(213) 580-2945 FAX: (323) 221-1744
email: janet.hutchison@lausd.net
Prof./Associate Rep..................Debbie Schmidt
(619) 886-2710 FAX: (619) 496-5103
juslildeb@msn.com
Chapter Presidents
Chapter 1.................................................................Sam Anderson
Southern San Bernardino, Riverside County
(909) 307-5370 FAX: (909) 307-5374
email: Sam_Anderson@redlands.k12.ca.us
Chapter 2
Donna Wittenberg
Orange County
(714) 220-6950 FAX : (714)220-6903
email: dwittenberg@cypsd.k12.ca.us
Chapter 3....................................................................... Mike Sawyer
San Diego, Imperial County
(760) 535-0678
michael.sawyer@smusd.org
Chapter 4...............................................................Sheri Armstrong
Los Angeles
(818) 830-2258 FAX: (818) 891-8021
Sheri.armstrong@lausd.net
Chapter 5.................................................................... Tony Briscoe
Ventura, Southern Santa Barbara County
(805) 378-6300 ext. 1452
tbriscoe@mrpk.org
Chapter 6.................................................................Andrew Peters
Sacramento Area
(530) 622-6464 ext. 2233
apeters@mlusd.net
Chapter 7............................................................Susan Moorehead
San Francisco Bay Area
(415) 939-5782 FAX: (408) 971-3416
email: susan.moorehead@firstgroup.com
Chapter 8............................................... Cherie Pinheiro-Quinonez
Chapter 9..................................................................... Lisa Costanzo
(805) 237-3378 FAX: (805) 237-3425
rycostanzo@pasoschools.org
Chapter 10........................................................ Amanda Hightman
Napa, Contra Costa, Solano
(925) 260-9972 FAX: 925-779-7602
amandahightman@antioch.k12.ca.us
Chapter 12.................................................................Trish Weedon
Kern County
(661) 852-5808 FAX: (661) 852-5829
trweedon@kern.org
Chapter 13.........................................................................Mike Rea
Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, Marin County
(707) 206-9988 FAX: (707) 206-9901
email: mikerea-wcta@juno.com
Chapter 14.............................................................. Vicki Wingfield
King, Tulare, Inyo County
(559) 730-7856 FAX: (559) 730-7625
email: vwingfield@visalia.k12.ca.us
Chapter 15........................................................ Denise Cheeseman
(209) 830-3200 x1710 FAX: (209) 830-3217
dcheeseman@tusd.net
Chapter 17.................................................................... Tania Kaylor
Redding, Shasta, Wonderland
(530) 221-4114 FAX: 530-945-7369
taniekaylor@yahoo.com
Chapter 18................................................................Tom McGinnis
Del Norte, Humboldt County
(707) 445-7089 FAX: (707) 445-7143
email: tmcginnis@humboldt.k12.ca.us
Chapter 19.............................................................. Mary Hoagland
(831) 728-6324 ext 205 FAX: (831) 728-6307
mary_haogland@pvusd.net
Chapter 20......................................................................... John Cain
(661) 733-2817 FAX: (661) 338-9725
jcain@dslextreme.com
CASTOways
Volume 20, Number 9
CASTOways is published monthly by The California
Association of School Transportation Officials. Email
information for publication to The CASTO Executive
Board at jeep-guy@pacbell.net or castowayseditor@
gmail.com
CASTOways Editor Greg Straw • (661) 472-8979
Board Liaison Nikki Hughes • (714) 997-6244
Advertising Pam McDonald • (714) 997-6244
Publisher Golding Publications • (951) 244-1966
Copyright ©2011, CASTO
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
President's message (cont.)…
◆ Continued from Page 1
role? Understanding how you are perceived by the general public starts the
compassion. Whether you realize it or not,
most of the populace thinks we are simply
crazy to drive a school bus. How many
times have you spoken to someone about
what you do and they quickly state, you
wouldn’t catch me driving a school bus? We as an industry need to educate in a
positive manner what we do and why we
are in this industry so the compassion and
passion we have for the industry is understood and shared. Education is the key
for the continuing success of our beloved
industry, school transportation.
So, the next time you are asked about
what your profession is, take the time to
think about all of the positive characteristics of your job and why we do what we
do. Cross out the negative and work the
positive. If we want the general populace
to support the industry, we have to get the
right message out, not the negative issues
we all work through every day! We have
the ability to set our destiny.
What destiny do you want? A successful
school transportation career for an industry
we believe in or an unsuccessful career
where nothing works and we are unhappy
which creates a negative health impact for
everyone around us. You decide. Until next month, travel safe, maintain your
professional image and be proud of the
profession you are in!
Remember…
Renew YouR
CASTO Membership!
www.castoways.org
CASTOways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
MAY 2015  3
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter 1
CHAPTER 4
We had a good turnout our Chapter Roadeo
April 11 and the weather couldn’t have been better. Thanks to all of the contestants, judges, and
vendor assistance, it is because of these people
that Roadeo’s are a success. Thanks to Bus West
for providing the donuts and coffee and AZ Bus for
the BBQ lunch!
At our Roadeo this year to thank our judges
they were each presented with a gift card for In
N Out Burger. We also presented out in Chapter
winners with a plaque and a tablet (2), a Garmin,
and the first place winner received a 40” TV. We
thought that although receiving a trophy is a great
way to be recognized the electronic device would
be always associated with the Roadeo and create
more competition. Below is a list of the winners
both in and out of Chapter.
I attended the Southern Sectional Roadeo on
May 2 at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon and filled
in as the Off Set Alley Coordinator. The weather
was perfect for Roadeo although warm there was
no wind and AZ Bus Sales kept us all hydrated
throughout the day. All of the contestants did a
great job and had a great time supporting their
team mates and there were some great BBQ’s going
on.
On Saturday April 18th, CASTO Chapter 4 had
our roadeo. We had 39 contestants with 7 district
represented.
Colton Unified School District–Carmen Lozolla,
Trudy Lewis and Guadalupe Vasquez
Garden Grove Unified School District-Jose
Navarro, Elizabeth Jiles, Sandy Obregon, Shannon
Lauricella, Robert Adams and Rosa Del Rio
Lake Elsinore Unified School District–Kelly
Baker, Kelley Simental and Wanda Manely.
Los Angeles Unified School District–John
Lewis, Roberto Garcia, Devery Chiles, Mario
Ozuna, Elfido Escobar, Marcos Aguirre, Juan
Valladolid, Salvador Reyes, Skie Dunford, Delcia
Escobar, Walter Leiva, Ofelia Rodriguez, Martha Gamez, Angel Bivens, Veronica Gaston and
Amanda Ruffin.
Newport-Mesa Unified School District–Victor
Garza, Richardo Sandavol, Juilann Scheafer and
Alfredo Salgado
San Diego Unified School District–Robelyn
Watson, Shon Hayes, Lisa Degler, Miguel Rodriguez
Santana, David Lancaster
Sweetwater Unified School District–Saul Zepeda
and Mario Gonzales.
The winners were:
Novice – Skie Dunford from LAUSD
Open – 1st Place was Roberto Garcia from LAUSD
2nd Place was Rosa Del Rio from GGUSD
3rd Place was Jose Navarro from GGUSD
Professional – 1st Place was Alfredo Salgado from
NMUSD
2nd Place was Leslie Baker from LEUSD
3rd Place was Guadalupe Vasquez from CUSD
Elite – 1st Place Marcos Aguirre from LAUSD
2nd Place Victor Garza from NMUSD
3rd Place Elfido Escobar from LAUSD
Chapter 4 would like to thank our sponsors:
A 2 Z Bus Sales, Creative Bus Sales, Buswest
and Schools First Federal Credit Union. Music was
proved by The Toughest D.J. In The House, Ms
Cookie. Also we could not do it without the help of
the judges and all of the volunteers.
Chapter 1 Roadeo Winners:
In Chapter
Colton USD
1St Carmen Lozolla
Colton USD
2Nd Trudy Lewis
Lake Elsinore USD
3Rd Leslie Baker Lake Elsinore USD
4Th Kelley Simental
Th
Lake Elsinore USD
5 Wanda Mahley
1St Team Carmen Lozolla,
Trudy Lewis, Lupe Vasquez Colton USD
Out of Chapter
Snowline USD
1St Doug Smith
Nd
Snowline USD
2 Shannon Bourassa
LA USD
3Rd Juan Balladolid
1St Team Shannon Bourassa
Doug Smith, Shirlee Olson Snowline USD
Submitted by Sam Anderson
CASTO Chapter 1 President
CHAPTERS 7 AND 10
On Saturday April 18, 2015 Chapter 7 & 10 held
its’ annual school bus safety Roadeo at the San
Mateo Event Center. Fifty six contestants participated. The Roadeo started at 8:45am and was
completed by 1:30pm.
Type A awards
1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place
Steven Fabela of Fresno USD
Ross McClure of
First Student Santa Rosa
Michelle Smith of Antioch USD
Frank Zapata of
Alum Rock Union Elemetary
Victoria Seekamp of
First Student Santa Rosa
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place
Wes Kosich of STA San Jose
Brad Gillett of
First Student San Jose
Kelli Watson of STA San Jose
Raelene Trujillo of STA San Jose
Florencio Perez of STA San Jose
1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Gabriel Castro of Fresno USD
Florencio Perez of STA San Jose
Mary Oppus of STA San Jose
Type B awards
Novice awards
Team awards
1st Place
Ross McClure, Brad Gillett and
Rosela Cadena of First Student Santa Rosa
2nd Place
Randy Hackman, Karen Krone and
Barbara Johnson of West County Transportation
3rd Place
Micelle Smith, Russ Johnson and
Greg Devlin of Fresno USD
We had several vendors supporting our Roadeo and providing materials for the raffles.
Gabe Hightman of A-Z Bus Sales provided financial support for the judges and staff lunches
Darren Salo of Bus West provided the coffee and
breakfast pastries for everyone as well as assisted
in set up and tear down of the Roadeo.
Greg and Donna Marvel of TransTraks provided
cold drinks and snacks for everyone as well as previewed “Lucy”, one of their two remodeled Crown
buses that will be used for training users of the
TransTraks software.
Silke Communications provided financial support to provide drinks and snacks for all.
Crystal Communications provided the two way
radios the committee used to communicate with
each other.
Robert Pardon of Fortress Mobile provided several gift cards for the raffle.
Devin Cole of Cole Supply provides ten buckets
of professional cleaning supplies to be used for the
raffle.
Rudy Rosales of United Site Services provided
the portable toilets for everyone’s use.
The CHP had several school bus coordinators
and school bus officers on hand to assist as well
as several patrol officers from Redwood City and a
senior volunteer to assist with traffic control.
Motor Carrier Specialists Sonny Cerrillo, Dale
Jehning and Tim Ellis assisted in bus measurements.
Anna Borges and Antonio Perez attended from
the CDE Office of School Transportation
Nikki Hughes, CASTO State President and her
mother attended as well.
By Jerry Rank, Roadeo Coordinator
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www.castoways.org
CASTO
CASTO
waysways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
4  MAY
2015
Transportation
Officials
CASTO Mechanic/Supervisor Workshop
Supervisor Class
Tentative Program
South Lake Tahoe High School
Registration, Lakeland Village, outside the lobby 4:00-6:00pm
Meeting Room
Thursday, June 18th
7:00 – 7:30 am
Registration/Continental Breakfast/Trade Show
GYM
7:30 – 8:00 am
Welcome, Nikki Hughes, CASTO President
America’s Best Technician Competition and Briefing
Theater
8:00 – 9:30 am
Roush – Propane Power
Instructor: Ryan Zic
This training session will cover the background and basics of propane gas
in the automotive industry. System safety, serviceability, cost and benefits,
additional training and the service network available, will be discussed.
2:30 – 3:15 pm
Break/Trade Show (Last chance to see the Trade Show)
3:15 – 4:45 pm
Cummins CNG
Instructor: Shannon Kelly
This training session will cover familiarization and maintenance of the
Cummins ISLG CM2180 Electronic Control System.
Allison Transmission
Instructor: Ron Pasquetti
Part Two of a two-session training.
Prestolite
Leece-Neville – ABC’s of the charge/start systems
Instructor: Mark Timerman
Part Two of two-session training.
TransAir
Instructor: Jeff Holbert
Part One of a two-session training that will include both classroom and
hands-on training.
This training session will cover the basics of air conditioning, including
components within an air conditioning system, basic refrigeration cycles,
and troubleshooting.
Ricon Wheelchair Lifts
Instructor: Keith Akins
Part One of a two-session training that will include both classroom and
hands-on training.
From the heavy-duty Titanium Line of S-Series and K-Series to the highvisibility KlearVue and FMVSS wheelchair lifts, Ricon sets the industry
standard. This training session will cover general electrical, lift
adjustments, repair and troubleshooting.
Supervisor Class
Screening Room
Bridgestone/Firestone
Instructor: Greg Ortega
This training session will examine tires – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Tire life expectancy, including tire failure, date coding, and
recommendations for a successful tire maintenance program, will be
covered. As the second highest expense to a fleet operation, ignoring tire
issues can be costly.
1
9:30 – 10:15 am
Break/Trade Show
10:15 – 11:30 am
Meritor Brakes
Instructor: Thomas Fitch
This training session covers basic air anti-lock braking with foundation
brake maintenance practices as well as discussion on hydraulic ABS.
Seon Video Systems
Instructor: Rory Halliday
This training session will cover best practices for digital video recorder
(DVR) installation, positioning of the cameras for best coverage, wireless
capabilities, and determining the best camera lenses and troubleshooting.
Ricon Wheelchair Lifts
Instructor: Keith Akins
Part Two of a two-session training.
Supervisor Class
Screening Room
Emissions
Instructor:
This training session will discuss emissions in California, how we got
where we are, what is required now, what’s approved and not approved,
and what the future holds for both large and small fleets.
June 18 - 19, 2015
Wednesday, June 17th
MAY 2015  4
Supervisor Class
Friday, June 19th
Screening Room
Auditing your Maintenance Program
Instructors: Tim Purvis, Director of Transportation, Poway Unified School
District and Independent Consultant
Mike Rea, Executive Director, West County Transportation Agency and
Independent Consultant
This training session will cover what to expect when you have an
independent consultant reviewing your shop, what they will look for, what
they will look at and how the results are reported.
Meeting Room
8:00 – 8:50 am
America’s Best Technician Competition
Theater
(8:50 – 11:15 am) Each Bus Company will discuss the technical side of
their buses, what is new, what attendees will see in the near future, what
training is available, parts and service updates, locations, factory tours and
anything else of interest to the mechanics and supervisors.
8:50 – 9:35 am
School Bus Talk, Creative Bus Sales
9:35 – 9:45 am
Break
9:45 – 10:30 am
School Bus Talk, Bus West
10:30 – 11:15 am
School Bus Talk, A-Z Bus Sales
11:15 – 11:30 am
Door Prizes
3
NEED INSERVICE?
Join us
October 17, 2015
For our semi-annual
Screening Room
Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT)
Instructor: Officer Heath Scribner – Collision Investigations/MAIT Unit.
This training session will examine the processes that take place during an
accident investigation including how everything on the bus is examined.
11:30 – 1:00 pm
Lunch/Trade Show
1:00 – 2:30 pm
Cummins INSITE
Instructor: Shannon Kelly
This training session will include INSITE™, a PC-based software
application that provides quick and easy access to an engine’s electronic
performance information.
Allison Transmission
Instructor: Ron Pasquetti
Part One of a two-session training
This training session will cover Allison DOC, DOC Prognostics, and
Diagnostic First steps. When it comes to diagnostics or preventative
maintenance, Allison’s electronic diagnostic system, Allison DOC
Universal, is critical in making the right call. This tool allows you to
monitor and review all the control systems that are critical to the operation
of your Allison Automatic.
Prestolite
Leece-Neville – ABC’s of the charge/start systems
Instructor: Mark Timerman
Part One of a two-session training.
This training session covers alternators, batteries and cabling, and how
they work and interact with each other. If the ABC’s are in proper order
and size, the alternator and batteries should live a long time. Voltage drop
tests and how to diagnose charge systems will be covered.
2
School Bus
Driver
Workshop
Presented by C.A.S.T.O. Chapter Four
& Los Angeles Instructor’s Network
VALLEY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
10818 E. Artesia Blvd. Cerritos, CA
LUNCH IS INCLUDED
SEVERAL GREAT PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM
Get up to 5 hours
Pre-register AND MONEY by October 9, 2015 :$25.00 Member / $35.00 Non-Member
Register after October 9, 2015 : $50.00
Registration 6:30-0730 AM / Programs begin at 7:45am
Information: Sheri Armstrong 1(818) 830-2258 or Cindy Casarez 1(213) 580-2916
NO CHILDREN ALLOWED
NO REFUNDS
CASTOways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
MAY 2015  5
2015 MECHANICS WORKSHOP AND VENDOR SHOW
CASTO
California Association of Student Transportation Officials
Mechanic
&
Supervisors Workshop
2015
REGISTRATION DETAILS
June 18 - 19
South Lake Tahoe High School
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION
OF
SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS
2015 Committee
Members
The 2015 Mechanics Workshop and Vendor Show is scheduled for Thursday,
June 18th and Friday, June 19th, 2015 at South Lake Tahoe High School.
Nikki Hughes
Chairperson
San Juan Unified SD
(916) 971-7689
NHughes@sanjuan.edu
CASTO is offering a program on in-service training for transportation personnel in a workshop setting at Lake Tahoe. The workshop will be focused on
transportation mechanics and maintenance supervisor/managers.
The cost of the workshop is $50.00
Registration must be received no later than
J un e 10 , 2 0 1 5
Phil Medved
Program Chairperson
Poway Unified SD
(619) 261-1381
pmedved@powayusd.com
Todd Franssen
CASTO Sustaining Member
Bus West
tfranssen@buswest.com
We will be headquartered at the Lakeland Village Resort. Please make
arrangements with Lakeland Village (800-822-5969) as soon as possible.
Mention CASTO Mechanics Workshop and/or promo code CASTO0615
attendee for a discount.
Matt Essex
A-Z Bus Sales
messex@A-ZBus.com
Those attending are encouraged to pick up their badges, schedules and lunch
tickets on Wednesday between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM outside the lobby at
Lakeland Village to avoid long lines on Wednesday morning.
Joe Angeli
Creative Bus Sales
Vendor Show will be offered both days. Please check the registration table
when you check in or the lobby at Lakeland Village for rooms and times.
Please return the enclosed registration form for attendees along with a check
for $50.00 for each person attending the workshop. If you have any
questions, please contact me or any one of the committee members listed
School Bus Technician and Inspector Competition
See you in June !!!
Nikki Hughes
CASTO
PO Box 7129
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
MECHANICS WORKSHOP AND VENDOR SHOW
SOUTH TAHOE HIGH SCHOOL
JUNE 18 AND 19, 2015
PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
School Bus Technician and Inspector Competition
NEW
to the Mechanics workshop in 2015 is the CALIFORNIA’ S BEST Technician and Inspector
competition. The competition is a fun learning experience for everyone. Your scores will not be revealed. The
Technician with the highest score and the inspector with the highest score from a combined written and
“hands-on” part of the competition will earn the opportunity to represent California at the NAPT annual
competition.
The California’s Best event recognizes school bus technicians/mechanics for the important role they play in
school transportation. The “Best of the Best Training and Competition” includes a 1/2 day of training, followed by a written knowledge exam plus a “hands on” competition to determine the “Best of the Best” in CaliEach year the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) holds the America’s Best Training &
Skills Competition for technicians and inspector in the school bus industry. In 2015 California will be represented by it’s first Technician and Inspector winners at the NAPT National Competition in Richmond, Virginia
in November 2015.
PLEASE LIST ALL ATTENDEES
(Copy form for additional attendees)
Agency/Carrier: _______________________________________________________________
Address:____________________________ City: ______________ State: _____ Zip: ________
Contact Person: ______________________________ Contact Phone #: (______) __________
FAX # (______) ________ E-mail: ______________________________________________
Attendees (Please enclose check for $50.00 for each attendee - includes one lunch):
1.
Circle One:
Technician
Inspector
2.
3.
4.
Name:
Name:
6.
Name:
State:
Zip:
Membership Number:
Signature:
Nikki Hughes
CASTO
PO Box 7129
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Title:
Address:
_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Title:
Employer:
_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Title:
Competitor’s Name:
Please return registration from to:
Name:
_____________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Title:
5.
CASTO Chapter:
Name:
Title:
TO BE COMPLETED BY PARTICIPANT
City:
___________________________________________________
Title:
REGISTER EARLY.
The competition is limited to the first 15 technicians and first 15 inspectors.
Entry forms will be required for all participants.
CASTO will contact you to confirm registration in the competition.
All registrations are pending approval of the California’s Best Committee
Name:
_____________________________________________
Make check payable to:
Please return to:
CASTO
Nikki Hughes
CASTO Mechanics Workshop
PO Box 7129
Citrus Heights, CA 95621
Amount enclosed $________
*Please indicate number of lunch attendee’s _________
6  MAY 2015
WHAT:
CASTOways
Youth Bus In-Service Training
- BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
- T0-1 Time Qualified
WHERE:
The Boys and Girls Club of Cypress
10161 Moody Street
Cypress, CA 90630
WHEN:
Saturday, May 23, 2015
9:00A.M-11:30A.M.
WHY:
2.25 Hours of Learning
COST:
$20.00 Advance Registration
$25.00 Walk-in Registration
Instructors: Gingi Polo Borg, Driver Instructor; Red Cross Instructor; Operation Lifesaver Presenter
Donna Wittenberg, Driver Instructor; CASTO Chapter President
Mail or FAX Completed Registration Form and Payment To:
Danny Lesser
Treasurer, CASTO 2
614 Brookview Way
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-3131
Email CASTO2Workshop@aol.com
Registration FAX: 714-220-6903
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
CASTOways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
MAY 2015  7
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8  MAY 2015
CASTOways
47TH ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE
®
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
CASTOways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
MAY 2015  9
AT
47TH
THEANNUAL
CONFERENCE
STATEVENDOR
CONFERENCE
SHOW
b Castoways 10.3125" x 15.625
Inspire your seat design with all th
Inspire yourinnovative
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withwe
all bring
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innovative ideas we bring together.
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ys 10.3125" x 15.625
who brings it all together—HSM Transportation Solutions. We’re rewriting the rules by combining the capabilities of three indust
Get a fresh perspective on your bus seat challenges with the design innovation and integrated manufacturing of the one expert
leaders—Triad Fabco, C.E. White, and Hickory Springs—along with our dedicated Innovation Center to provide the components,
who brings it all together—HSM Transportation Solutions. We’re rewriting the rules by combining the capabilities of three industry
design, and collaboration to meet demanding OEM product specifications and end-customer quality requirements. From metal
leaders—Triad Fabco, C.E. White, and Hickory Springs—along with our dedicated Innovation Center to provide the components,
forming to virgin foam to molded rebond. From sewn seat covers to child restraint seats to driver seats. Discover how our creativ
design, and collaboration to meet demanding OEM product specifications and end-customer quality requirements. From metal
flair can make your bus seat perform brilliantly.
forming to virgin foam to molded rebond. From sewn seat covers to child restraint seats to driver seats. Discover how our creative
flair can make your bus seat perform brilliantly.
See how it all comes together at hsmsolutions.com/transportation5
See how it all comes together at hsmsolutions.com/transportation5
Inspire your seat design with all the
innovative ideas we bring together.
P. O. Box 128
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NC 28603
P. O. Box 128
Hickory, NC 28603
828.328.2201
hsmsolutions.com
828.328.2201
hsmsolutions.com
a fresh
perspective
on your
bus seat
challenges with the design innovation and integrated manufacturing of the one expert
Inspire Get
your
seat
design
with
all the
©2013
HSM brings it all together—HSM Transportation Solutions. We’re rewriting the rules by combining the capabilities of three industry
who
innovative
ideas we bring together.
leaders—Triad Fabco, C.E. White, and Hickory Springs—along with our dedicated Innovation Center to provide the components,
Get a fresh perspective on your bus seat challenges with the design innovation and integrated manufacturing of the one expert
design, and collaboration to meet demanding OEM product specifications and end-customer quality requirements. From metal
who brings it all together—HSM Transportation Solutions. We’re rewriting the rules by combining the capabilities of three industry
leaders—Triad Fabco, C.E. White, and Hickory Springs—along with our dedicated Innovation Center to provide the components,
forming to virgin foam to molded rebond. From sewn seat covers to child restraint seats to driver seats. Discover how our creative
design, and collaboration to meet demanding OEM product specifications and end-customer quality requirements. From metal
forming to virgin foam to molded rebond. From sewn seat covers to child restraint
seats to driver seats. Discover how our creative
hsm2321-1WSBusSeat-castD1.indd
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flair can make your bus seat perform brilliantly.
flair can make your bus seat perform brilliantly.
See how it all comes together at hsmsolutions.com/transportation5
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1
See how it all comes together at hsmsolutions.com/transportation5
10/25/13 8:18 AM
10  MAY 2015
CASTOways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
CASTOways
47TH ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE
MAY 2015  11
e5◆
12  MAY 2015
CASTOways
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
LAUSD celebrates School Bus Driver Day
CDE announces change to first aid training programs
By CDE/OST
your first aid course provider
is not on the approved list and/
CAStoways contributor
or the applicant did not receive
California Vehicle Code Sec- certification from the American
tion 12522 (VC) requires every Red Cross, the school bus or
person who operates a school youth bus driver certificate is
bus or youth bus
not valid if they
in the transporwaived the first
tation of school
aid exam issued
pupils to successby the California
Note:
fully complete
Highway Patrol.
an examination
The organization
According to
on first aid pracEMSA,
approved
“The Training
tices. school
bus and
The first aid
Source”
youth
bus
driver
examination may
training
providers
expired on
be waived if the
may offer a blendapplicant posMarch 31, 2015.
ed course prosesses a current
gram in order to
There are
first aid certificate
fulfill the requireor card issued by
no other changes
ments of VC 12522
the American Red
(c) (1). as of today
Cross. The first aid
The exam may
May 7, 2015.
exam may also be
also be waived if
waived if the apthe applicant posplicant possesses
sesses a first aid
a current license
certificate or card
as
a
physician
and surgeon,
issued by any organization aposteopathic
physician
and
proved by the Emergency Medisurgeon,
registered
nurse,
or
a
cal Services Authority (EMSA).
current
certificate
as
a
physi For information on the name
and expiration dates of these cian’s assistant or emergency
programs that received ap- medical technician.
If you have any questions,
proval by EMSA, please review
the attachment identifying the please contact our office by
EMSA approved courses. If phone (916) 375-7100. 
School Bus Driver Training
This list is updated on a monthly basis. Please call the EMS Authority to confirm a training program's
approval status if a program does not appear on this list.
Organization/Program Manager
Address/Phone
Expiration
A-B-CPR & First Aid Training
3717 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108-4005
(619) 281-3304
Fax (619) 342-4431
10/31/2016
1450 Westec Dr
Eugene, OR 97402-9189
(800) 246-5101 390
Fax (541) 344-7429
2/29/2016
7435 Unversity Ave., #104
La Mesa, CA 91942-9057
(619) 469-7109
Fax (619) 469-1398
5/31/2019
640 Stemel Ct.
Milpitas, CA 95035-3566
(408) 262-0909
Fax (408) 262-0889
4/30/2017
5 Wall Street
Burlington, MA 01803
(800) 541-5696
Fax (904) 621-9015
10/31/2016
1046 Calle Recodo Ste K
San Clemente, CA 92673
(800) 215-9555 107
Fax (949) 388-2776
9/30/2018
1450 Westec Dr
Eugene, OR 97402-9189
(800) 800-7099
Fax (541) 344-7429
8/31/2016
1121 Spring Lake Dr
Itasca, IL 60143-3201
800) 621-7615 52336
Fax (630) 285-9594
9/30/2017
Mike Long
American Safety & Health Institute
Ralph Shenefelt
AmeriMed
Christine Gallagher
Critical Moments Safety Training
Pamela Wells
ECSI Ped Facts
Denise Howard
EMS Safety Services, Inc.
Robert E Pryce
Medic First Aid International
Ralph Shenefelt
William Rowe
National Safety Council
Barbara Caracci
Donna Siegfried
5/7/15
Organization/Program Manager
Address/Phone
Expiration
Save-A-Life Educators Inc
13695 Alta Loma Ln
Jamul, CA 91935-1604
(619) 669-9911
Fax (619) 669-3738
2/28/2017
630 Debbie Pl
Escondido, CA 92026
(760) 738-3700
Fax (760) 738-3700
Expired 3/31/2015
19742 MacArthur Blvd Ste 150
Irvine, CA 92612-2444
(949) 251-9085
Fax (949) 852-0971
7/31/2017
Vicki Igou
The Training Source
Catherine Hicks
University Training Center Inc.
Robin Ann Lipscomb
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
2014-2015 AGENCY MEMBERS
CASTOways
47TH ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE
2013 – 2014 AGENCY
MEMBERS
Arcata School District
Capistrano Unified School District
Coachella Valley School District
Cypress School District
Del Norte County Unified School
District
Dry Creek Jt Elem School District
El Dorado Union High School
District
Elk Grove Unified School District
Eureka Union School District
Fillmore Unified School District
Fortuna Union High School District
Fremont Unified School District
Fullerton School District
Glenn County Office of Education
Hanford Elementary School District
Head Start Child Development
Council
Humboldt County Office of
Education
Irvine Unified School District
Jurupa Unified School District
Kern County Superintendent of
Schools
Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified
School District
Knightsen Elementary School
District
Lemoore Union High School
District
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Olivos School District
Madera Unified School District
Marin Horizon School
Mendota Unified School District
Michael's Transportation Service
Mid Placer Transportation Agency
Modoc Joint Unified School District
Moorpark Unified School District
Murrieta Valley Unified School
District
North Monterey Unified School
District
Orange Unified School District
Palermo Union Elementary School
District
Pleasanton Unified School District
Pupil Transportation Cooperative
Redlands Unified School District
Rowland Unified School District
Sacramento City Unified School
District
Salinas Union High School District
San Juan Unified School District
San Marcos Unified School District
Semitropic Elementary School
District
Shasta Union High School District
Southern Trinity Joint Unified
School District
Southwest Transportation Agency
Trinity Alps Unified School District
Turlock Unified School District
Upland Unified School District
Visalia Unified School District
West County Transportation Agency
MAY 2015  13
Marin Horizon School
Mendota Unified School District
Michael's Transportation Service
Mid Placer Transportation Agency
Modoc Joint Unified School District
Moorpark Unified School District
Murrieta Valley Unified School
District
North Monterey Unified School
District
Orange Unified School District
Palermo Union Elementary School
District
Pleasanton Unified School District
Pupil Transportation Cooperative
Redlands Unified School District
Rowland Unified School District
Sacramento City Unified School
District
Salinas Union High School District
San Juan Unified School District
San Marcos Unified School District
Semitropic Elementary School
District
Shasta Union High School District
Southern Trinity Joint Unified
School District
Southwest Transportation Agency
Trinity Alps Unified School District
Turlock Unified School District
Upland Unified School District
Visalia Unified School District
West County Transportation Agency
CASTOways
14  MAY 2015
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
2014 - 2015 SUSTAINING MEMBERS
247 Security Inc.
Brittany Wilkening
4400 North Point Parkway, Suite 158
Alpharetta, GA 30022
(866) 693-7492
www.247securityinc.com
Fortress System
Robert Pardon
3801 Rose Lake Drive
Charlotte, NC 28217
(801) 995-2753
www.fortressmobile.com
Q’Straint
Lisa Nippolt
5553 Ravenswood Rd., Bldg 110
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
(800) 987-9987
www.qstraint.com
Specialty Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Douglas Campbell
10200 Pineville Road
Pineville, NC 28134
(800) 951-7867
www.smiglobal.net
American Cooling
Technology, Inc.
Rick Eyer
715 Willow Springs Lane
York, PA 17406
(877) 228-4247
www.americancoolingtechnology.com
American Logistics
Megan Carey
520 W. Dyer Road
Santa Ana, CA 92707
(866) 999-3371 Ext. 223
www.americanlogistics.com/schools.
aspx EasyBus, Inc.
Fuel Master/Syn-Tech Sys.
Michele Pearson
100 Four Points Way
Tallahassee, FL 32305
(800) 888-9136
www.syntech-fuelmaster.com
Reflective Image
Bill VonEiff
7460 Main Road
Greenport, NY 11944
(888) 948-9800
www.schoolbussigns.com
Sure-Lok, Inc.
Erin Yaworski
2501 Baglyos Circle
Bethleham, PA 01020
(989) 450-7826
www.sure-lok.com
Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
Carla Welsh
301, 31127 Wheel Avenue
Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 6H1
(888) 666-4833
www.gatekeeper-systems.com
REI
Chad Anderson
6534 L Street
Omaha, NE 68117
(402) 339-2200
www.radioeng.com
SYNOVIA
Stacey Dietzen
9330 Priority Way West Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(877) 796-6842
www.synovia.com/contact.aspx
Gecko Microsolutions
Brett Goshert
3420 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85028
(800) 390-7520
www.geckoms.com
Ricon Corporation
Larry McNutt
7900 Nelson Road
Panorama City, CA 91402-6090
(818) 267-3075
www.riconcorp.co
H.G. Makelim Co.
Jeff Flower
219 Shaw Road
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 827-7552
www.hgmakelim.com
SafeGuard/IMMI
Charlie Vits
18881 U.S. 31 North
Westfield, IN 46074
(317) 867-8153
www.safeguardseat.com
Syntec Seating Solutions
Rick Smith
200 Swathmore Avenue
High Point, NC 27263
(331) 899-4809
Rick.smith@syntecseating.com
www.syntecseating.com
Heavy Duty Bus Parts, Inc.
17850 Interstate 45 N
Willis, TX 77318
(800) 505-2300
www.manta.com/c/mm5mtjl/heavyduty-bus-parts-inc
Safety Vision
Chris Beard
6100 Sam Houston Parkway N.
Houston, TX 77041
(800) 880-8855
www.safetyvision.com
HSM Solutions
Bill Loshbough
PO Box 25944
Albuquerque, NM 87125
(505) 269-5258
www.hsmsolutions.com
SAMBA
Nicholas Green
4418 Horizon Blvd. Suite 100
Albuquerque, NM 87113
(888) 947-2622
www.sambasafety.com
Hydrotex
Dwight Gleaves
12920 Senlac Drive, Suite 190
Farmers Branch, TX 75234
(800) 527-9439
www.hydrotexlube.com
Secure Transportation
John Chapman
13111 Meyer Road
Whittier, CA 90605
(562) 244-4053
jchapman@securetransportation.com
MME
Frank Wheeler
2360 Harvard Street
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 922-1101
Seon
Malinda Sandhu
111-3B Burbidge Street
Coquitlam, BC V3K 7B2
(877) 630-7366
www.seon.com
Angel Trax
Scott Lisenby
9540 US Hwy 84 West
Newton, AL 36352
(334) 692-4600
www.angeltrax.com
Applied Technology Group, Inc.
Steve Grove
4440 Easton Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93307
(661) 322-8650
www.appliedtg.com
Fuel Master/Syn-Tech Sys.
A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.
John Landherr
PO Box 700
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 781-7188
www.a-zbus.com
BraunAbility
Colton Walle
PO Box 310
Winamac, IN 46996
(800) 946-7513 ext. 3261
Bus West, Inc.
Todd Franssen
21107 South Chico St
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 984-3916
www.buswest.com
Creative Bus Sales
Joe Angeli
13501 Benson Avenue
Chino, CA 91710
(800) 323-2877
www.creativebussales.com
Easy Way Safety Services
Thomas C. Sackett
10901 B Reed Hartman Highway
Cincinnati, OH 45242
(800) 543-0575
www.easywaysafetyservices.com
EasyBus, Inc.
Michael Hinckley
313 Ushers Rd., Suite 11
Ballston Lake, NY 12019
(518) 877-2500
www.easybus.com
Mobile Climate Control Corp.
Hal Hooper
2425 East Rockledge Road
Phoenix, IN 46527
(574) 534-1516
www.mcc-hvac.com
PRO-VISION
Steve Wagasky
8625-B Byron Commerce Dr. S.W.
Byron Center, MI 49315
(800) 576-1126
www.seeingissafety.com
Silke Communications
Fernando Iglesias
6 Rossi Cir,
Salinas, CA 93907
(831) 784-1900
www.silkecom.com
So. California Gas Co.
Chuck Haas
555 W. 5th St 19A4
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 214-5271
www.sempra.com
Trans/Air Manufacturing
David Harden
480 E. Locust Street
Dallastown, PA 17313
(717) 246-2627
www.transairmfg.com
Transfinder
Bridget Swick
120 Erie Blvd.
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 377-3609
marketing@transfinder.com
www.transfinder.com
TransTraks – Perseus Associates
Donna Marvel
125 Clover Hill Ct.
Danville, CA 94526
(925) 838-8514
www.transtraks.com
Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Douglas Campbell
4 British American Blvd.
Latham, NY 12110
(800) 433-5530
www.versatrans.com
Valley Power Systems
Bob Hooper
425 S. Hacienda Blvd.
City of Industry, CA 91745
(800) 924-4265
www.valleypowersystems.com
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
Ryan McClure
733 Marquette Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-667-9909
Zonar Systems, Inc.
18200 Cascade Avenue S, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98188
(877) 843-3847
www.zonarsystems.com
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
CASTOways
MAY 2015  15
WE ARE YOUR SCHOOL BUS EXPERTS
New Buses | Used Buses | Parts | Service | Grants | Financing
SMALL
Gas | Diesel | Propane | CNG (2014)
Up to 30 Kids
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it’s time for recess! Or we may even make repairs
on site, scheduled maintenance or not.. we offer
mobile service at select locations & same day
parts delivery...locally to you.
800-458-9199
www.BusWest.com
CARSON
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21107 S. Chico Street Carson CA 90745
10150 Cherry Avenue Fontana CA 92335
4337 N. Goldenstate Blvd, #101 Fresno CA 93722
210 N. East Street, Woodland CA 95776
CASTOways
16  MAY 2015
The Official Publication of
the California Assn. of School
Transportation Officials
— School Bus Experts!
Immediate delivery of stock units available • Experts in funding options
New Buses • Used Buses • Service • Parts • Body & Paint • Emissions • Financing • Grants
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• Alternative fuel infrastructure grants
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951.781.1800
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