Camp Verde Superintendent Danny Howe has decided to retire early after a lifelong career with the school district, citing health and personal circumstances as the reason for his departure.
The Camp Verde Unified District Governing Board approved Howe’s retirement at its June 8 meeting. Howe’s last day with the district was Wednesday, June 9.
“My first and only educational employment opportunity has been in Camp Verde at the Camp Verde Unified School District,” Howe said at the meeting. “It’s been 30 years of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I will cherish the memories and all the friendships that were created. … It’s been wonderful.”
Howe’s wife, Melissa Howe, thanked the governing board for the opportunity her husband has had to serve in the district.
“On behalf of our family, I just want to thank you for giving Danny the opportunity to have served in this position and for supporting him for many years,” she said. “This decision was not an easy one, but it was the one that was best for our family.”
Business Services Director Steve Hicks has been appointed as the interim administrator-in-charge to take over Howe’s responsibilities.
“Great man; knows his stuff,” Howe said. “The district is in good hands with the money, and just with him. He cares as much as I do about this district.”
Hicks said it is still to be determined how long he will be serving as the interim administrator-in-charge, and the board will likely discuss plans for the long-term future of the district in the near future.
“He [Howe] has obviously touched many lives, including my own, and he will be missed,” Hicks said. “We look forward though, to continuing in the good work that’s being done here. … We have a lot of work to do to fill his shoes and to move forward and give the community the educational resources that they deserve.”
Several board members discussed the lasting impact Howe has made on the district, and many of the staff and students within it, at Tuesday’s board meeting.
“It’s been an honor to serve with him,” Board President Tim Roth said. “He has led the school and captured kids’ hearts. … He loves the staff. You can see it in everything he does. He loves the kids. We’re going to miss him.”
Board Member Carol German said she’s known and worked with Howe for many years, and agreed that the district will miss his leadership.
“It’s hard for me. I’ve known Danny for a long time, his family for a long time,” she said. “He has served this district with honor through all these 30 years. … He loves this school. He loves Camp Verde.”
From 1986 to 1991, Howe attended Northern Arizona University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education witha minor in physical education. He later went on to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership because of his desire to work in the administrative side of education.
Howe was hired by the Camp Verde School District fresh out of college in 1991 as a seventh-grade math and science teacher. He served as the assistant principal in addition to his teaching duties for a few years before being promoted to principal in 2010.
In 2018, Howe took over as administrator-in-charge for two years, then became the official superintendent in 2020.
Reflecting on his career, Howe said one of the things he’s most proud of is how the district was able to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was a tough year. It was a real tough year with the pandemic,” he said. “I’m proud of this district because we fought hard to keep school open. … It was my conviction that kids need to be in school. And a lot of places, they can’t say that. We did it.”
Howe cited his healthand personal circumstances as the reason for his early departure.
“[Bob Simbric] always told me, he said, ‘Danny, when your job starts affecting your health, you know it’s time to retire,’” Howe said.
Howe is looking forward to taking some time to relax, spending time with his family, catching up on yard work and heading to the river to fish in his retirement.
“It’s been a great career. It’s been very rewarding,” he said.
