Elmbrook Board Member Subject to Injunction
Preetha Kurudiyara's criminal case prohibits her from contacting her own children, concerning community members. Additionally, research reviews the accuracy of what was presented during her campaign.
Elmbrook school board member Preetha Kurudiyara was in court again on 12/18/23, where the court records show she is subject to a one year injunction (until 12/18/24).
“The parties may be at their childrens' schools at the same time, though any contact beyond incidental contact is not permitted. The parties will be seeking the permission to have contact with each other via the Our Family Wizard app only. The parties understand they must follow all bail conditions in Waukesha County Case No. 23CM2001”
At the 12/11/23 Board of Education meeting community members spoke out against the seriousness of domestic violence and called for Preetha’s resignation. “The black eye that was given to the Elmbrook school system will not go away. […] What kind of message would we send to these children that go to school if this person is allowed to get away with this?”
Another community member said “This leads me to question whether the Board member has the current capacity to be effective. This is particularly concerning when that Board member missed two meetings last week that they were supposed to attend. […] Board members are supposed to be an example for our children. Do our ‘Celebrations of Excellence’ mean as much when our children are brought before this Board with a sitting member facing criminal charges involving domestic violence?”
While campaigning in Spring 2023, Preetha highlighted being a pediatrician, being non-partisan, and having her children in Elmbrook schools. A further look into those three statements follows.
Medical background and education
As stated on her campaign website, Preetha is listed is a pediatrician, although she has not practiced medicine since 2019. She received her medical degree from St. George’s University in Grenada, located in the Caribbean. St. George’s was researched in this NYT piece from 2014 noting its admission of students who may not be able to get into medical school in the United States. It admits lower GPA and MCAT scores than domestic universities at the start. Once in school, the article noted residency matching rates significantly lower of what occurs from domestic medical schools. Being matched into a residency allows students to eventually become a practicing medical doctor.
Non-partisan campaign
While Preetha said her campaign was non-partisan, Blue Sky Waukesha, a group supporting liberal candidates in Waukesha County was clear in pointing out their support to her online and sent out mailers, as shown below.
Previously, in 2020, Preetha donated to Act Blue as shown on Federal Election Commission records, which was earmarked for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
Attendance in Elmbrook Schools
It appears Preetha’s family’s attendance in Elmbrook Schools was not consistent. In January 2020, a local private school, Brookfield Academy, announced via newsletter that Preetha’s family enrolled one of her children. Attendance at Elmbrook Schools is not mandatory for board members, although it was a frequently highlighted point by some candidates in 2023 as a reason they would be better suited in the role of board member.
As previously noted, Preetha was arrested on 11/22/23 and charged with domestic abuse, disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon. When police arrived they noted blood on the hands and clothing of Victim A/Preetha’s husband, and a subsequent CAT scan revealed a broken nose. Preetha's husband told police he was in an abusive relationship with her and there were prior incidents where she was the aggressor.
The official Elmbrook response on 12/8/23 acknowledges criminal charges against a board member, but notes Preetha is “answerable to the electorate, and by law, the Board is limited in its authority to take action as it relates to any individual Board member’s service on the Board.”
Update: The Freeman covered Preetha’s injunction on 12/19/23.
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