Getting to Know Islip Board of Education Trustee Hilary Crowe Breig

Hilary Crowe Breig was elected to the Islip Board of Education in May and began her term on July 1.

A proud parent, educator, community volunteer and Islip lacrosse goalie mom, Crowe Breig brings more than 20 years of experience serving children and families through her professional and community work. She serves as program coordinator of Islip Handles Hunger and is a past PTA treasurer. Professionally, she is a special education teacher in the Shoreham-Wading River School District and president of her teachers’ union.

In this Q&A, Crowe Breig discusses her connection to Islip, her goals as a trustee and the experiences she brings to the Board of Education.

What does the Islip community mean to you?

Islip is a very special place to call home. It is a town filled with proud Islipians - the kind of people who grow up here, stay to raise their own children and hope that, one day, their children will choose to remain here as well. It is a community built on generations of families, friendships, traditions and pride.

Islip is home to wonderful local businesses and generous business owners who consistently give back. It is a place where neighbors show up for one another, people cheer on our children at games and performances, and families genuinely care about the community and its future. Even those who leave for a while somehow seem to find their way back home to Islip.

I began working in Islip not long after arriving in America. My family opened a business on Main Street and named it after my mother, Lily Flanagan. I worked there for a couple of decades and came to know Islip's people and culture through that small but meaningful window into the community.

Islip people are the best kind of people. They welcomed me as a naïve teenager “off the boat,” and I am fortunate to still call many of them friends more than three decades later.

What were your goals in running for the Board of Education?

My goal was to help strengthen and support our schools while keeping students at the center of every decision. I want to be part of the solutions. I learned early in my career that if you bring forward a problem you truly want addressed, you should also bring potential solutions.

As a special education teacher for more than 20 years and a proud public school advocate, I understand many of the opportunities and challenges facing schools today. Throughout my career, I have served on staff and curriculum development committees and have been an active member of negotiation committees. I am also a proud parent and community volunteer who cares deeply about this district and the families who call it home.

These experiences have helped me develop a skill set that I believe will serve our community well as a Board of Education trustee. I believe in maintaining high academic standards, supporting safe schools, encouraging transparent communication and ensuring fiscally responsible decision-making - all while keeping the focus where it belongs: on what is best for our children.

I also recognize that serving on a Board of Education comes with tremendous responsibility and a steep learning curve. While I understand many aspects of the role, I know I still have much to learn. I will approach this position with humility and a willingness to listen. I am committed to learning from my fellow board members, district leaders and the community so I can serve our students and families effectively.

How important was it to step into this role with the district when you did?

When the initial budget did not pass in May 2026, I was in the room as the results were announced, and the community’s message was loud and clear. That night, I saw understandable worry and concern, but I also saw determination from the sitting board members to work toward a responsible, sustainable path forward.

These are not strangers making difficult decisions. They are our neighbors and fellow community members who care deeply about Islip and its future. I do not envy the weight of the decisions they faced.

While it was not my place at that time to weigh in on how we arrived at that point or how the process would ultimately unfold, I knew the challenges belonged to all of us. Moving forward required rebuilding trust, and that begins with listening, transparency and a willingness to work together, especially when the conversations are difficult. We must continue coming to the table with respect and a shared commitment to finding solutions.

What would you like the community to know about you and your family?

I am fortunate to be surrounded by a large family and some very special friends here in Islip. Our roots run deep, and honestly, so does our schedule! We spend most weekends on the lacrosse or softball fields. When we can fit it in, our perfect Long Island weekend always includes some time at the beach.

I am also an avid reader and grateful to share that passion with wonderful groups of friends through book clubs that have inspired both meaningful conversations and lasting friendships.

We live in a 150-year-old house that always seems to need a little love and attention. We spend much of our free time working on it together, which we truly consider a labor of love. Over the years, it has taught us patience, creativity and an appreciation for the beauty and character of old homes. I especially enjoy the creative process of decorating and choosing the pieces that make our home feel welcoming and uniquely ours.

We feel incredibly blessed to live in the heart of Islip and raise our family in a community we love.