Support for special-needs transporters, effective radio communication, and electric buses were among the topics covered at the California Association of School Transportation Officials' annual conference.
PHOTOS: 2020 CASTO Conference Highlights
The California Association of School Transportation Officials (CASTO) held its annual conference from Feb. 22 to 24 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Sacramento.
Tony Peregrina, president of CASTO, welcomed attendees and recognized the longest-standing school bus driver in the audience, who has been driving a bus for 46 years.
In another session, Yvonne Dennings and Tina Meuser, dispatchers from Elk Grove Unified School District, shared effective strategies for radio communication and training.
Rick Weaver, who had been an officer with the California Highway Patrol for 27 years, highlighted in another session key tips for dealing with stress management in the workplace.
On the show floor, attendees checked out products and services from a variety of industry suppliers.
CASTO Chapter 4 President Ross Rosborough and his team sold lottery tickets outside the show floor as a way to fundraise for the association.
Several school buses were also on display outside, including a Blue Bird Vision propane school bus, a Jouley electric bus from Thomas Built Buses, a LionC from The Lion Electric Co., and an IC Bus CE gasoline model.
On the second day, attendees started their morning with breakfast, coffee, and sweet pastries.
The association's Lifelong Member Award, CASTO's highest honor, was presented to former CASTO president Greg Straw (second from right). He is shown here with past award recipients from left to right: Dano Rybar, Mike Ananos, Anna Borges, Nikki Hughes, Al Sauvadon, and Ron Kinney.
Electric buses were also a hot topic during the conference. Peter Tuckerman, a sales manager for The Lion Electric Co., informed attendees about the benefits of adopting the alternative fuel, from having reduced emissions to decreased maintenance costs.
More than 500 attendees gathered before events kicked off on the first morning of the conference.
Keynote speaker Lisette Estrella-Henderson, superintendent for Solano County Schools, fueled the audience with a powerful and inspiring message: “what you do matters.” She specifically shared the impact pupil transportation has had on her family in ensuring an education for her younger brother who has special needs.
Estrella-Henderson gave attendees this coin as a parting gift, encouraging them to spread positivity no matter where they go or who they transport.
Ilah Feeney, a program administrator for the Solano County Office of Education, conducted an insightful session about the importance of relationship building and leadership support for special-needs transportation staff.
Matt Sanchez, the district’s transportation director, also emphasized the need for clear, concise communication when responding to an emergency on or off the school bus.
Local music duo Ellen and Larry added to the ambience by playing jazzy, upbeat tunes.
Greg and Donna Marvel of TransTraks recognized Eden Choi, a sixth grade student from Fairmont Private Schools, as CASTO’s 2019 safety poster contest winner.
California Highway Patrol Commissioner Warren Stanley gave the second keynote speech, in which he applauded the state’s school transportation sector for having a 97% compliance rate and over 1,000 certified school bus driver instructors each year.