Crowley ‘cronyism’

DOE ‘favors’ pol’s kin

The sister and nephew of Liz Crowley, an ex-city councilwoman running for Queens borough president, are getting special treatment as teachers in a city middle school, a whistleblower charges.

The politician’s sister, Patricia Crowley, returned to IS 5 the Walter Crowley School — named for their late councilman uncle — after a higherpaying Department of Education assignment. She landed an easy gig supervising kids in a detention room, insiders told The Post.

In what one staffer called “cronyism,” Patricia’s son, Eugene Cullivan, a day-to-day substitute, was filling in for an art teacher on leave. But when that teacher returned in November, Principal Kelly Nepogoda let Cullivan, 27, keep the class full-time instead of returning it to the licensed specialist.

“This is not just about favoritism. It’s about hurting students,” a veteran DOE teacher said. “The art students are subjected to a substitute when an experienced, licensed teacher is available.”

The veteran called it “preferential treatment” for the politically connected duo. The Crowley sisters’ cousin is Joe Crowley, the longtime congressman and former Queens Democratic Party boss defeated in 2018 by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Patricia Crowley declined to discuss the arrangement. Nepogoda did not return a call or answer an e-mail. Liz Crowley (inset) did not return calls. A special election for borough president is set for March 24. Patricia Crowley, 50, is licensed to teach pre-K to 6th grade, and special education. She taught 6th grade science at IS 5 before taking a two-year DOE assignment as a “peer evaluator” in other schools, making $141,300 last school year.

Since returning to IS 5 in September, her salary reverted to $121,862, the DOE said. She now supervises the SAVE, or inhouse suspension, room. Typically five to 10 students at a time come with work assigned by their regular teachers, and no lesson planning or grading is required of the SAVE teacher.

“Her services should be utilized helping students with the greatest need, instead of being put in a practically phantom job,” the DOE veteran said.

“Decisions are made by the principal in the best interest of students and the school,” DOE spokeswoman Danielle Filson said.