Superintendent

Photo of Hilary Bales

Mrs. Hilary Bales is a highly regarded administrator currently serving as the Superintendent of the Waynesville R-VI School District in Waynesville, Missouri. Serving her entire professional career in Waynesville. Mrs. Bales has dedicated her career to the betterment of education in her community.

Mrs. Bales pursued her passion for education at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education in May 2001. Continuing her academic journey, she obtained her Master of Administration degree from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, specializing in Elementary Administration, in May 2004. She furthered her education at Lindenwood University, earning a Specialist of Administration degree in Elementary Administration in May 2012.

Her professional career is marked by a series of impactful roles within the Waynesville R-VI School District. Mrs. Bales began her journey as a Special Education Teacher in 2001, where she demonstrated her dedication to inclusive education practices. Over the years, she took on increasingly significant leadership positions, serving as Special Education Process Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of Special Services, and Assistant Superintendent before assuming her current role as Superintendent in 2022.

In addition to her professional commitments, Mrs. Bales is deeply involved in volunteer service and community engagement. She serves on various boards and committees, including the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS), secretary of Leonard Wood Institute (LWI), and is an active member of Rotary, Committee of Fifty and the Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3) and plays a crucial role in shaping educational policy and programs as the President Elect for the South Central region of the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA).

Mrs. Bales's dedication and leadership have been recognized through numerous honors and awards throughout her career. She has been a recipient of the Leadership Academy, the MAESP South Central Exemplary Assistant Principal Award, the SCMSCA Advocate/Principal of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Women in the Community Award, among others. In 2024, Mrs. Bales was nominated by Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army and selected to attend to participate in the prestigious U.S. Army War College (USAWC) National Security Seminar (NSS). Her commitment to excellence in education has been further highlighted by the recognition of her schools as Exemplary PLC Schools and PBIS Gold Star Recipients.

Beyond her professional and volunteer commitments, Mrs. Bales enjoys spending time with her family and exploring her interests in outdoor activities, arts, and culture. She remains deeply committed to fostering a culture of learning and excellence in education, not only within the Waynesville R-VI School District but also in the broader community she serves.

Mrs. Hilary Bales

Superintendent
200 Fleetwood Drive
Waynesville, MO 65583
(573) 842-2097

Helpful Links

To see a list of our schools, click here.

Universal Breakfast in the Classroom is offered at most of our elementary schools. To view our lunch menus, click here

District-owned and operated bus transportation system (approximately 70 buses, which run about 100 daily routes). For more transportation information, click here.

Developmental health and educational screenings for all children aged birth to school age are provided through pre-school and PAT screening. For more information about our early childhood programs, click here.

Originating in Missouri, our Parents As Teachers(PAT) program is a nationally-acclaimed program assisting parents of children aged birth to three to become better first educators of their children. To learn more about our Parents As Teachers program, click here.

Pre-school classes for three and four-year-olds who demonstrate a need for assistance to be successful upon kindergarten entry. For more information about our PACE program, click here.

District-wide testing services for all students including specialized assessments for students with exceptional needs. For more information about Special Services, click here.

Early Childhood Special Education services for children ages 3-5 with developmental delays and who are not eligible for kindergarten. For more information about Early Childhood Special Education, click here.

Services and accommodations for students with disabilities under IDEA and Section 504. For more information, click here.