Matt Bushey, the longtime superintendent in Dadeville, was killed in a head-on crash early Wednesday on his way to perform.
Wednesday was the 1st working day of classes for the 180-university student district, which is situated 35 miles northwest of Springfield in Dade County.
Bushey, 48, experienced been an educator and leader in the district for at the very least 18 years. Most of these several years have been used as superintendent.
In a message to Dadeville families, principal Cassy Farmer and university board president Josh Worthington wrote:
“This morning, just prior to the start of the faculty day, Dadeville Superintendent Dr. Matt Bushey was missing in an automobile accident.”
They mentioned: “Dr. Bushey served the Dadeville university district for 18 many years. He was nicely identified and liked throughout the neighborhood. Team and people of the university district have been knowledgeable of the incident. Make sure you be a part of us in trying to keep Dr. Bushey’s family members in your feelings and prayers.”
In a equivalent concept to Dadeville families, the district leaders stated additional help will be readily available.
“As you know, this is the first working day of university and we recognize the thoughts that our workers and pupils are experience,” they wrote. “Counselors have been on hand nowadays and will be in long run times for these who require support.”
Eric Wilken, superintendent in Willard, has identified Bushey, his spouse Amy and their two little ones for extra than 10 years and regarded as him a shut mate.
“He’s an incredible father, an remarkable husband and if he wasn’t at Dadeville faculty he was with his family members,” Wilken reported.
“Dadeville college, they have experienced a fantastic deal of achievements by way of his time there. He was a crew participant, he listened with empathy. He cared dearly for that school.”
Wilken said he and Bushey called each individual other to share insights and seek out guidance linked to school management.
“We would also chat about people and what we had likely there and that is what I will pass up most,” he explained. “My finest memory of Matt is viewing him be close to his spouse and children at ball games or at the school.”
He reported the Willard district has arrived at out to Dadeville to provide their help and assistance, if wanted. “He’ll be drastically missed by his family, the Dadeville community and actually the full instruction neighborhood. He was a leader of leaders.”
The district is receiving extra aid from the Missouri Division of Elementary and Secondary Schooling.
“Dadeville has a great deal of satisfaction in their faculty district so I know it is a devestating loss for every person there these days,” said Doug Hayter, govt director of the Missouri Association of School Administrators, who grew up in close by Walnut Grove.
Hayter said superintendents in compact districts, like Bushey, are concerned in a lot of aspects of the faculty.
“They have on so a lot of hats and develop into these an integral component of the neighborhood especially for the reason that of dimension. They go over and over and above, no matter if it truly is driving a bus or supporting with foods,” he mentioned.
Hayter mentioned Bushey experienced a superior status and was perfectly-preferred in southwest Missouri.
“There was a whole lot of shock and disbelief this morning,” he mentioned. “Undoubtedly, sending the condolensces to his household and the full Dadeville district and community.”
Kevin Sandlin, govt director of the Missouri Affiliation of Rural Education and learning, received to know Bushey, 1 of the 14 board members for the group that serves smaller sized districts throughout the point out.
Sandlin mentioned Bushey contributed at conferences and was properly acquired by colleagues. He explained he was “quite engaged in meetings and conversations” aimed at increasing the quality of schooling and ordeals out there to learners.
“His district is an astounding district. They are really included in a amount of routines and they have been given scholarships from our corporation,” Sandlin said. “They are in tune with what is is likely on and that is a credit rating to his management.”
According to a report by the Missouri Point out Highway Patrol, the incident included two autos.
The crash was noted at 7:16 a.m. Wednesday on Route T, two miles southwest of Bolivar in Polk County.
Bushey was driving a 2022 Volkswagon Jetta west on Route T and experienced one particular passenger, a 17-12 months-previous juvenile. Both equally were carrying seatbelts.
The juvenile, who was not named, suffered significant injuries and was taken by ambulance to a Springfield medical center.
The crash happened when a 1999 Ford F-150 pushed east on Route T by a 16-12 months-aged juvenile — also not named in the crash report — crossed the centre line and struck the automobile driven by Bushey head-on, according to the patrol report.
The juvenile driving the pickup, who the patrol described was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered significant accidents and was airlifted to a Springfield clinic.
Bushey, who lived in the Bolivar spot, stated on social media that he studied at Evangel College and Southwest Baptist University.
The university board is predicted to meet up with in the coming times to appoint an interim leader.
No details about funeral products and services was available Wednesday.
Claudette Riley is the education reporter for the News-Leader. Electronic mail news tips to [email protected].
