Camilla Houy, business manager for the Altoona Area School District, will retire after 26 years in the district’s business office. Courtesy photo
After 26 years in the Altoona Area School District’s business office, Camilla Houy has passed the torch of district business manager to Sue Franks and is ready to enjoy the next chapter of her life.
When he retires Dec. 31, Houy plans to volunteer with the Altoona Kiwanis Club, the Altoona area adult education program, and teach Sunday school at his church. She also plans to participate in ceramics classes and take her grandchildren to see performing arts productions.
“Those are the ones that come to mind,” Houy said of her retirement plans, noting that she has several house projects to work on. “I’ll wait to see what God has to offer, and then try to make sure I listen.”
According to Houy, God “opened all the doors” for him throughout his career and life.
Houy joined the Altoona Area School District in March 1998. She served eight years as the district’s federal programs coordinator, eight years as federal programs director and 10 years as business manager.
Before joining the district, Houy served as state auditor in Texas from 1981 to 1985, was a stay-at-home mother for seven years and worked as a public accountant in Texas and Pennsylvania.
Many people have helped Houy succeed in his role within the district, she said.
Mary Louise Ray, a former Altoona area assistant superintendent, taught her the educational aspect of the job when she started, Houy said, adding that she also learned a lot from Michelle Krebs, who preceded Houy in as business manager, former superintendent Dennis Murray and many others.
Current administrators, like Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Elementary Programs Haley Fleegle, are also excellent mentors and leaders who make the Altoona area “a great place to work,” Houy said .
Fleegle, who succeeded Houy as the district’s federal programs director when she became business manager, said Houy was instrumental in helping the district manage its use of various emergency aid grants for primary and secondary schools at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“She masterfully planned, advised and assisted on how these grant funds could best be used to help close a very significant deficit, while ensuring we put the district on a solid financial footing for the future ” Fleegle said, noting that Houy is a model of hard work and dedication.
Fleegle said she and Houy share June 30 as a special day of the year since it is Fleegle and Houy’s birthday. It was also the deadline for the various federal grants they worked on together, she said.
“This appointment and so many memories will always make me think of her and everything she did for the district,” Fleegle said.
When Houy’s retirement was announced at the Aug. 19 school board meeting, many board members, including Val Mignogna and Mike Pappas, thanked her for her years of service.
“There is no better manager of the district’s money than you,” Mignogna told Houy at the time.
Of all the current school board members, David Francis, who was on the school board when Houy was hired, has the closest connection to Houy, she said, noting that Francis played golf with her husband and that they had attended various birthday parties and baseball games together. .
Francis said Houy “came a long way” as she traveled the district.
“She’s done a wonderful job with our finances,” Francis said. “She is a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.”
Houy’s retirement is “well deserved,” Superintendent Brad Hatch said.
“Camilla is one of the most genuine and hardworking people I have ever known,” Hatch said. “His knowledge of school finances, budgeting, the audit process and his understanding of federal funds greatly benefited the school district during his time.”
Fortunately for the district, Hatch said, Houy spent “several years” working closely and sharing wisdom with Sue Franks, who took over as business manager on Nov. 1.
Franks said learning the business manager position was “a little overwhelming” at first because there was a lot to learn. But Houy has been patient and supportive throughout the transition, she said.
Franks, who started working for the district seven years ago, said she and Houy quickly struck up a friendship after realizing they shared many connections through their faith.
“We both believe wholeheartedly that there was divine intervention to bring us together and into this position,” Franks said.
When asked what she will miss about the district, Houy said it’s the people she worked with who will make her retirement bittersweet.
“I’ve worked with some great people,” Houy said, but added that she looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and helping others as much as she can.
Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.
The Houy file
Name: Camille Houy
Age: 65
Family: Husband, Bill Houy; daughters, Patti Connolly and Jen Houy Showalter; sons-in-law, Denny Connolly and Justin Showalter; grandchildren: Tomas, Sam, Emmy, Leah and Evan Showalter and Dash and Kora Connolly
Education: Burnet High School, Burnet, Texas, class of 1977; Southwest Texas State University, Class of 1980, graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a concentration in Accounting
Job: State Auditor, Texas, 1981-85; stay-at-home mother, 1985-92; worked for accounting firms in Texas and Pennsylvania from 1992 to 1998; Federal Programs Coordinator, Federal Programs Director, Business Manager, Altoona Area School District, 1998-2024
Hobbies: Participate in art classes