Colton, CA—On April 29, 2026, Colton High and Colton Joint Unified administrators introduced the Colton community to the new battery-electric Creator model RIDE school buses at the annual Community Cabinet meeting.
While the buses took center stage, Superintendent Dr. Frank Miranda and Facilities Director Owen Chang shared a number of other district projects and their benefits with the group of community members and district officials.
However, the buses were indeed the star of the show. Chang shared significant details about the buses. “We have been awarded $15.8 million in all these different grants,” he said, “and next year, you’re going to see 25 of these EV buses in CJUSD.”
The EV buses not only support being environmentally friendly, but the students as well. Chang said, “These 25 buses are going to provide clean transportation for over 1,000 students on a daily basis. Transportation is the first touch point for most students, and when they get on these clean, quiet buses, they’re going to be prepared for school.”
In addition, the event highlighted several programs that Colton High provides, including the CHAMPS Culinary Pathway and the Transitional Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), both designed to prepare students with real-world skills.
At the event, hosted in Colton High’s brand new Culinary Arts building, senior CHAMPS Pathway Ambassadors Nayleah Ruvalcaba and Leanna Monson introduced the CHAMPS pathway. Ruvalcaba said, “So we are the CHAMPS pathway… it also gives the students an opportunity to be in a culinary program for four years, an opportunity to have them transition to the real world.”
CHAMPS teacher Brandon Buckles highlighted the expansive materials of the new culinary building. “Our kitchen is above what we have in most restaurants, even college culinary buildings,” Buckles said. “So it’s a good opportunity for our students to be able to learn and see different types of equipment. It’s a wonderful experience for them, especially if they want to pursue this career.”
In addition to CHAMPS, the event showcased one of the TOPS programs’ newer projects, “Top Notch Coffee”. TOPS is a program which supports students ranging from ages 18-22 with intellectual and developmental disabilities to gain real-world skills through community engagement.
Top Notch Coffee, in particular, teaches the TOPS students how to handle beverage preparation and basic business management. Teacher Ashton Reynosa shared, “We actually work within the community . . . you might see some of our students at Smart and Final, CVS and businesses down the street.”
Reynosa explained the evolution of Top Notch Coffee. “This was definitely a new experience from the past. Previously we had students or people come to order, then we’d make the coffee and then deliver it, but we are learning to be more versatile and have more experiences. And our students did an amazing job. We are very proud of it.”
As the event concluded, attendees were invited to tour the new electric buses as well as the Culinary building, offering a closer look at where the district’s focus is.
