Altoona Area School District Business Manager Camilla Howie is retiring after 26 years in the district’s office. Provided photo
After 26 years in the Altoona Area School District sales office, Camilla Hoyey is ready to enjoy the next chapter of her life as she passes the torch as the district’s business manager to Sue Franks.
Hui, who will retire Dec. 31, will volunteer with the Altoona Kiwanis Club, an adult education program in the Altoona area, and work as a Sunday school teacher at a church. She also plans to take some pottery classes and take her grandchildren to see performing arts productions.
“That’s on my mind,” Fouie said of her retirement plans, noting that she has several home projects to tackle. “I wait to see what God puts before me, and then I try to make sure I listen.”
According to Hui, God has “opened every door” throughout her career and life.
Houy joined the Altoona Area School District in March 1998. She served as the district’s federal program coordinator for eight years, federal program director for eight years and business manager for 10 years.
Prior to joining the district, Ms. Hui served as the Texas state auditor from 1981 to 1985, was a stay-at-home mom for seven years, and worked as a certified public accountant in Texas and Pennsylvania.
She said many people have guided Hooi to be successful in her role with the district.
Mr. Hui said Mary Louise Ray, a former Altoona-area assistant superintendent, taught him about the educational side of the job when he joined the company, and Michelle Krebs, a former police superintendent who preceded Mr. Huy as business manager. He added that he learned a lot from Dennis Murray and former Superintendent Dennis Murray. And many more.
Hui said current administrators, such as Hayley Fleegle, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and elementary programs, are also great mentors and leaders who make the Altoona area a “great place to work.”
Fleegle, who replaced Hui as the district’s federal program director and business manager, was responsible for managing the district’s use of various elementary and middle school emergency aid funds at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that Mr. Hui had worked hard to make this happen.
“She expertly planned, advised, and helped us figure out how to use these grants to eliminate our large budget deficit, while ensuring that we continue to have a strong district.” We tried to put it on a sound financial footing,” Fleegle said. A model of hard work and dedication.
Ms. Fleegle said she and Mr. Fleegle share June 30 as a special day of the year because it is Fleegle’s anniversary and it is also Mr. Hooey’s birthday. That was also the deadline for various federal grants they had been working on together, she said.
“This date and so many memories will always remind me of her and all she did for the district,” Fleegle said.
When Fuey’s retirement was announced at the Aug. 19 school board meeting, many school board members, including Val Mignogna and Mike Pappas, thanked her for her years of service.
“No one can manage the district’s money better than you,” Mignogna told Hui at the time.
Of the current school board members, she said David Francis, who was on the school board when Hooy was hired, has the closest bond with Hooy, adding that Francis plays golf with her husband. He said they have attended various birthday parties and baseball games together. .
Francis said Hooi “has come a long way” toward the district.
“She’s done a great job with our finances,” Frances said. “She was a wonderful person and we will miss her very much.”
Superintendent Brad Hatch said Hooi’s retirement was “well deserved.”
“Camila is one of the most honest and hard-working people I’ve ever known,” Hatch said. “Her knowledge of school finance, budgeting, the audit process, and understanding federal funding greatly benefited the district at the time.”
Fortunately for the district, Hatch said Hooi has spent “many years” working closely and sharing wisdom with Sue Franks, who took over business manager responsibilities on Nov. 1. Ta.
Franks said learning the business manager position was “a little tough” at first because there was a lot to learn. But Phuey has been patient and supportive throughout the transition period, she said.
Franks, who started working in the district seven years ago, said she and Hooi quickly developed a friendship, realizing they shared many connections through their faith.
“We both truly believe there was divine intervention that brought us to this position,” Franks said.
When asked what she will miss about the area, Hooi said it’s the people she worked with that make her retirement bittersweet.
“I worked with some great people,” Hooi said, but added that she is eager to spend more time with her grandchildren and help others in any way she can.
Mirror Staff writer Matt Churella can be reached at 814-946-7520.
Fifile
Name: Camilla Hoyi
Age: 65 years old
Family: Husband, Bill Howie; daughters, Patti Connolly and Jen Hui Showalter; sons-in-law, Denny Connolly and Justin Showalter; Grandchildren: Thomas, Sam, Emmy, Leah, Evan Showalter, Dash and Cora Connolly.
Education: Barnett High School, Barnett, Texas, Class of 1977; Southwest Texas State University, Class of 1980, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business with an emphasis in Accounting.
Employment: Texas State Comptroller, 1981-1985. Housewife, 1985-92. From 1992 to 1998, he worked at accounting firms in Texas and Pennsylvania. Federal Program Coordinator, Federal Program Director, Altoona Area School District Business Manager, 1998-2024
Hobbies: Participating in art classes
