New Hit and Run Charge for Elmbrook Board Member With Outstanding Charges That Include Domestic Abuse
A new charge was filed against pediatrician Dr. Preetha Kurudiyara who remains on the Elmbrook Board of Education despite calls for her resignation.
Elmbrook board member and pediatrician Dr. Preetha Kurudiyara is facing yet another charge - this time for a hit and run that occurred on 5/30/24.
Preetha was previously arrested in November 2023 and charged with domestic abuse, disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon after throwing a 1-liter bottle at her husband which fractured his nose. Her husband told police that he was in an abusive relationship and this was not the first incident she had initiated, but he had not reported previous incidents.
During the five months following her arrest, Preetha was not allowed in-person contact with her children. Her court order was recently modified to allow supervised visits. Throughout this time, as a board member she has been able to go into schools and classrooms. In contrast, parents who want to volunteer in classrooms are required to complete an enhanced background check.
Shortly after her arrest, the question was posed at the December 2023 Elmbrook board meeting:
“What kind of message would we send to these children that go to school if this person is allowed to get away with this?”
Despite community outcry, Preetha has not resigned and the school board stated that they cannot require her to vacate the seat.
During Preetha’s candidacy in 2023, open records showed communication between her and the Superintendent that had them agreeing “we all deserve respect” after Preetha’s name was mispronounced by a person who immediately stated “I hope I said that correctly.” Her opponent’s name was also mispronounced at the same event.
One month after the exchange about respect, she responded to criticism on social media with, “Wow! Is that how it works? 🙄 I’m a physician; I know very well how to juggle my time, but thank you for your concern. You should stay in your lane [name redacted]. Return to monitoring your T1D [Type 1 Diabetes] support group; it’s a MUCH better use of your time.”
Preetha advertised being a pediatrician during her campaign, although community research showed she was not employed. She was previously listed on the district website simply as a Community Volunteer. After her arrest, the district website was updated.
It appears she is having difficulty finding employment as court records from 6/3/24 state that “they may want a vocational evaluation is [sic] Ms. Kurudiyara does not find employment in her field soon.”
Earlier this year, the relocation of Fairview South, a facility for students who are medically fragile or have significant intellectual disabilities, was discussed in an Elmbrook board meeting. Preetha advocated for moving these students into the space currently occupied by Amy Montessori, a pre-K and Kindergarten school. Her reasoning was “to be able to have the BC [Brookfield Central High School] band come over, to play for the students that are at North Avenue, if they are there, I think that that’s a really important thing to consider.”
This opinion was challenged by board member Sam Hughes who has a child with special needs. He pointed out that the proximity to the high school might actually be disruptive to these students. Preetha maintained her assertion and said “as a pediatrician, I think most of the medical community would agree with me.” Preetha’s behavior and comments deeply offended community members and drove a parent of a child with severe disabilities, who attends Fairview South, to tears.
Preetha was elected on a very small majority and received support from Blue Sky Waukesha, a local group that supports liberal candidates. Her opponent requested a recount due to concerns with absentee ballots and other irregularities.
The Elmbrook district slogan is “Become What’s Next.” Considering what Elmbrook seems to have turned a blind eye to, what is next?
Update: Thank you once again to the Freeman for picking up this story. They point out that GPS coordinates show the hit and run occurred at the Waukesha County Courthouse just prior to a hearing in her outstanding case with charges of domestic abuse, disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon.