Gov. Blunts’ School Bus
Safety Task Force to Begin Recommendation Process
Director James to Present Findings From Statewide Bus Safety Survey
JEFFERSON CITY, July 27, 2005—Under the direction
of Mark James, Chairman of the School Bus Safety Task Force and Director
of Public Safety, the task force will hold their fourth meeting tomorrow
at the Truman Building in room 870.
Gov. Matt Blunt created the first ever School Bus Safety
Task Force after three serious bus accidents occurred last month in
Missouri. The worst accident involving a school bus killed two motorists
and injured 23 children.
The task force has been meeting often, and will hear
from one last presenter before Director James presents findings from
the school bus survey send out last month statewide encouraging school
bus drivers to weigh in on this critical discussion.
Director James will use this meeting and the next scheduled
for August 4 to begin discussion for recommendations to Gov. Blunt.
Director Mark James will be available for comment at
the lunch break and again at the conclusion of the meeting. Please
contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819 or (573) 301-2023 to set
up a time.
WHO: Director of Public Safety Mark James
WHAT: School Bus Safety Task Force
WHEN: Thursday, July 28, beginning at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Truman Building Room 870
Task Force Panel Members include:
Mark James, Chairman, of Liberty – James is the Director of
Public Safety and a former Missouri State Highway Patrolman and a
former ATF Special Agent.
John Davies, of Independence – Davies has been the Transportation
Director for the Independence School District since 1997 and is the
former Safety Director for Pace School Bus Company.
Vicky Williams, of Jefferson City – Williams has worked for
24 years with MODOT’s Highway Safety Division. She is also the
Program Specialist for Drunk Driving Countermeasures.
Tina Zubeck, of Platte – Zubeck is the School Board Secretary
for Platte County R-3 School District and is President of the Missouri
Parent Teacher Association State Board.
Sherry Huffman, of Hartsville – Huffman has been in education
for 22 years in the Hartsville School District. She served 11 years
as an elementary school principal in the Hartville R-III School District.
She taught secondary, then elementary education for eleven years.
Ed Hillhouse, of Franklin County – Hillhouse is the Presiding
Commissioner of Franklin County. He is a past Superintendent and Deputy
Superintendent of Meramec Valley R-II School District, where he worked
for 25 years.
Robert Baine, of Florissant – Baine has served as the attorney
for Hazelwood School District since 1979.
Dr. Leanna Depue, of Warrensburg – Depue is the Director of
the Missouri Safety Center at CMSU. She is a recipient of the Distinguished
Service to Safety Award at the National Safety Council Congress, the
highest award awarded to individuals.
Tim Flook, of Liberty – Flook is a member of the Missouri House
of Representatives and represents the 34th District.