Eligibility
All pupils in grades through 8th grade residing outside District Walk Distances (2.0 miles for elementary, 3.25 miles for the middle school) are eligible for the school bus transportation program. Transportation will only be available to the AM Kindergarten programs at Northlake Hills and Live Oak Elementary Schools. There will be no transportation for the PM kinder programs.

Eligibility Guidelines for Free Bus Pass
Free bus passes for transportation may be available to qualified families. Please review the chart below to determine if you qualify. The District reserves the right to request verification of any income information you provide on your application. Failure to disclose complete information may result in loss of riding privileges and/or legal action. Students who receive exempt transportation under this program will receive the same bus pass as all other students, so that they cannot be differentiated from others.

The following table shows income eligibility guidelines per household size and gross (before any deductions) monthly income.

If over eight (8) family members per household add $354.00 for each additional family member.

Definition of Income: Income is considered money (no food stamps) received by all members of your economic family household. It includes salary or wages; earning from self-employment, including farming, welfare and unemployment; child support and alimony; strike benefits; Social Security, pensions, retirement and disability payments; dividends, interest rent or other income from stocks, bonds, deposits, real estate or other investments; any other fiscal income received, deposited to your account or withdrawn from any source that would be available for payment of the transportation fee.

Special Note: All applications and records related to eligibility for exempt transportation shall be confidential and opened only for purposes directly connected with the exempt transportation program.

Parents who apply for exempt transportation are strongly encouraged to also apply for the Free Lunch Program. This will not only provide children with sound meals, but it will also help the District meet its financial obligations.

Warning: All information submitted in order to qualify for the exempt transportation status will be verified. Incomplete information may delay processing; incorrect information may result in loss of bus riding privilege and /or legal action.

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Transportation Fees
The State of California reimburses the School District for only a small portion of the cost of providing home to school transportation. The Board of Trustees has directed that a fee be collected to allow the District to continue offering bus transportation for students. The fees will not cover the full costs of the Transportation Program. This means that parents will be sharing the costs of transportation with the District.

Single Rider

Multiple Riders

*  Fees may be paid by cash, personal check, money order or cashiers checks. Credit Cards will not be accepted.
*  Checks should be made payable to: Castaic Union School District. A Fee of $5.00 will be charged for all returned checks.
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Bus Passes
Passes will be issued at the time payment is made or distributed through the mail when all paperwork has been processed and his/her fees are paid. A replacement charge of $1.00 will be required for lost passes. All replacement passes will be issued at the district office. Parents may wish to attach the bus pass to the student's backpack or book bag.
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Bus Rules
The following are the School Bus Rules governing pupil transportation for those students living within the Castaic Union School District. We ask that you review these rules with your son and/or daughter, and if you have any questions, contact us at the District Transportation Office.
 

1. Pupils transported in a school bus shall be under the authority of and responsible directly to the driver of the bus.  (CCR #14103)  Riders shall follow the instructions and directions of the bus driver at all times. 
2. The bus driver will assign seats on a permanent and/or temporary basis as needed for the safe transportation of pupils.
3. Students should be at the stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
4. When the school bus is approaching the bus stop riders shall wait in line approximately 10 feet away from the curb until the bus stops, the door is opened and then enter the bus in an orderly  manner and go directly to their seats.  When arriving at the bus stop remain in your seat until the bus comes to a complete stop and the door is opened, only then enter the aisle, and go directly to the exit.
5. Bus passes must be shown to the driver every time the student enters the school bus.  Students attempting to ride the school bus without completing the application process will not be transported and will be escorted to the school office where the parent(s) will be contacted.
6. No eating or drinking is allowed on the bus.
7. No part of the body, hands, arms, or head should be put out of the window.  Nothing should be thrown from the bus.
8. No animals are allowed on the bus.
9. Because serious safety hazards can result from noise or behavior that distracts the driver, loud talking, yelling, singing, whistling, scuffling, throwing objects, standing and changing seats are prohibited actions that may lead to suspension of riding privileges.
10. Skateboards, oversized backpacks, and large objects including school projects and musical instruments will not be allowed on the bus.
11. Students are required to ride the bus route and bus stop(s) indicated on this application.
12. No student riding the bus will be allowed to change his or her designated bus stop.  All permanent changes must be submitted in a written authorization from their parent or legal guardian and will be granted upon availability of space.
13. Kindergarten students will not be released without an authorization from their parent or legal guardian.  Progressive steps ultimately leading to the denial of transportation will be followed if no one is at the bus stop on a recurring basis to pick up the student.

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Refunds
*  Refunds will be given only when the student is leaving the Castaic Union School District.
*  Refunds will not be given for unused days for illness, suspension from school, or loss of riding privileges due to violation of the bus rules.
Request for refunds must be made in writing and include the student's name, school, last day of attendance and reason for the request. Send refund requests to the Transportation Department.

*   Any questions should be directed to transportation at:
   Address: 28131 Livingston Ave. | Valencia, CA.91355
   Phone : 661 294-1427    |    Fax: 661 294-1133
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Ineligible Transportation Areas
The shaded areas on the maps represent those areas that will NOT receive transportation service.

Updated: May 5, 2011. Castaic Union School District