An anti-hate activities policy is unanimously approved by the Westside school board, following reports of racial slurs being hurled at Black basketball players in other local schools. Send an Email. Bluford is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. She has won numerous awards, including OPS Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award. Alia Conley covers breaking news, crime and courts. The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation recognized our Elkhorn South High School scholarship winners at our Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on April 28th, 2021. . Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Douglas County sheriffs deputies still are investigating the matter and looking into Blufords background. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents.. alia.conley@owh.com, 402-444-1068, twitter.com/aliaconleyOWH. According to an ESHS band website, Bluford has been a teacher for 33 years 21 of them in the Elkhorn school district. Michelle Bluford - Elkhorn South High School 2014-2015 John Keith - Millard West High School 2015-2016 Frank Ibero - Scottsbluff High School 2016-2017 Brady Rohlfs - Waverly High School 2017-2018 Dan Sodomka - Aurora High School 2018-2019 Carolyn Barber - University of Nebraska-Lincoln 2019-2020 Chiyo Trauernicht - Otte-Blair Middle School An arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Share Tweet Advertisement Search According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. Elkhorn South band director charged with child abuse in case involving former student. All rights reserved. (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. An arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. 2005 - Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn High School 2006 - Fred Ritter, Columbus High School 2007 - Sharon Hoffman, Bayard Public Schools 2008 - Byron Braasch, Lewis & Clark Middle School 2009 - Stan Johnson, Shickley Public Schools 2010 - Dave Klein, Kearney Public Schools 2011 - Cheri Helmer-Riensche, Papillion-La Vista South High School That charge could include endangering the life of a child; depriving them of necessities; placing the child in a situation that could lead to sexual exploitation; or forcing the child to engage in prostitution, indecency, pornography, or another situation allowing for sexual abuse. Elkhorn South band director facing felony child abuse charge, Father, son charged with animal cruelty after hundreds of dead and dying cattle found on Lincoln County property, Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave. They did this approximately three times a week at the school. The warrant lists a charge of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony. Parks said they are conducting an internal review of their policies and protocols surrounding professional boundaries and will be providing training for all staff. Position switches part of 'magic' for Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, Shatel: Sam Griesel is 'living the dream' at Nebraska - all thanks to the transfer portal, Live updates: Nebraska high school girls basketball state tournament semifinals, Elkhorn South band teachers on administrative leave; one person under investigation, Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse, Former Elkhorn South band director faces more charges, is accused of grooming student, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities, Scientists reveal hidden corridor in Great Pyramid of Giza, Greece train crash: Public anger grows as death toll rises. I strive not only to teach my students about the technical aspects of playing a brass instrument, but also to challenge them to think critically about the music they perform and listen to. Michelle Bluford, 55, who has been with Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, was charged Wednesday with one count of intentional child abuse. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. (Omaha, NE) -- A former Elkhorn South High School band director accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student bonds out of jail on Wednesday. Elkhorn Public Schools is aware of the issuance of an arrest warrant for Michelle Bluford, and we continue to cooperate with the Douglas County Sheriffs office in their investigation. Deputies have have spoken to the victim and the victims family regarding this matter. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. Previously was employed with Elkhorn Schools for about 20 years.. OMAHA, Neb. Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. Michelle Bluford, 55, accused of inappropriate contact and sexually abuse of a former student over a three-year period The complaint filed by Deputy County Attorney Molly Keane on Thursday alleges a minor child was put into an exploitive situation in the span of two years, from June 26, 2017-2019. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. DSCO says the time frame was about three years but court documents say two. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. They began a routine in which the defendant required the victim to hug her every morning before school and at the end of the day, Faith Kjelstrup, Deputy County Attorney said. A spokeswoman with Elkhorn Public Schools confirmed Wednesday that ESHS summer band activities had resumed under the direction of Brian Nelsen, recently named the high schools new band director. (AP) - A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of abusing a former stude. The vote came down at a special meeting on Monday afternoon. Prosecutor Faith Kjelstrup on Wednesday detailed what she said Bluford did to the former student behavior she said occurred between June 2017 and June 2019, when the teen graduated. You can cancel at any time. Bluford also required the girl to hug her at the beginning and end of each school day, the prosecutor said. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Elkhorn South teacher accused of felony child abuse makes first court appearance, Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Please subscribe to keep reading. Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. RELATED: Elkhorn South teacher accused of felony child abuse makes first court appearance. All rights reserved. Bluford began to isolate the student, sometimes taking the student off school grounds, texting the student, and having the student sign on to an app so they could be tracked, court documents state. Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave at the end of June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member and a former student. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. There was a problem saving your notification. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. Facebook Copyright 2021 WOWT. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. The sheriff's office said it first learned of the alleged abuse in June and launched an investigation. Bluford was booked Monday into the Douglas County Jail after a warrant was issued for her arrest late last week. Documents now indicate that Bluford also faces two counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. She would then rock the victims face close to her chest as though they were trying to breastfeed. Elkhorn South band director facing felony child abuse charge, Sheriffs office investigating death of Hall county woman, False reports of school shootings all over Nebraska and the country, University of Nebraska Kearney students make valuable connections at Career and Internship Fair, UNK history professor uncovers Willa Cathers connections to campus, Kearney community, Next University of Nebraska Kearney Science Caf focuses on clinical trials in rural Nebraska, Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave, publicfile@ksnblocal4.com - (402) 467-4321. Michelle Bluford is alleged to have initiated and nurtured a relationship with a former student over a period of three years, eventually leading to. Details revealed in court Wednesday alleged Dr. Michelle Bluford manipulated the student,. (KMTV) Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn South High School band teacher who is accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. She also repeatedly kissed the victims head, face and arms.. (WOWT) - A former Elkhorn South High School band director was scheduled to appear in court Friday but will not make an appearance until January after the arraignment was. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. South Sioux City Band Director. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Derick Lee Bluford (Omaha, Nebraska), born in Sioux City, Iowa, who passed away on December 9, 2021 at the age of 58. Average annual salary was $55,450 and median salary was $55,972. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. Director bands Elkhorn High School, since 2000. What ever happened to Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn band teacher? Prosecutors believe she groomed the victim, a student at Elkhorn South, for two to three years. Elkhorn South teacher accused of felony child abuse makes first court appearance. All rights reserved. He brings fresh ways of delivering concepts and meets students where they are. OMAHA, Neb. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Shawn is currently accepting students of all ability levels for in person and online trombone, euphonium, tuba, and Jazz improvisation lessons. Phone: (308) 446-2244. One board member, Nancy Rogic-Greufe, was absent during the vote. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. Kjelstrup added that Bluford would kiss the girls head, face and arms. At this time, this remains an ongoing personnel matter. Officials at Elkhorn South suspended all summer band activities last month after the investigation was reported. (KMTV) - The Elkhorn Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to cancel the contract of Elkhorn South band director Dr. Michelle Bluford. Her bands, orchestras, and jazz bands have consistently earned Superior Plus and Superior ratings at District Music Contest, state and regional competitions, the website states. In an ongoing investigation with the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, they were informed of a possible inappropriate relationship with a faculty member and student at Elkhorn South High School. As a guest conductor for our WMU Jazz Orchestra he directed with focus and precision. After an investigation by the Sherriff's Office, it was established that Dr. Michelle Bluford had started an inappropriate relationship with a former student that lasted about three years, said the. The victim said she would pretend to be asleep and the defendant would rub her hands over the victims clothed body including the victims vagina and her breasts.. The judge set Blufords bond at $75,000. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. Oakland-Craig Band Director. OMAHA, Neb. 22 9 comments Best Add a Comment Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: thepmconsulting.com, +351211164216, +351916123136, +34633392927, +351910020585 PM Consulting Energy | PM Consulting Energy | consultoria e comercializao energia Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. Bluford is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. According to an ESHS band website, Bluford has been a teacher for 33 years 21 of them in the Elkhorn school district. Copyright 2021 WOWT. Michelle Bluford, 55,is alleged to have initiated and nurtured a relationship with a former student over a period of three years, eventually , Elkhorn South High School's former band directorwas charged this week with two counts of third-degree sexual assault, which are in addition t. All of us in the Nebraska Wind Symphony truly appreciate your support not only today but throughout the long and colorful history of our group. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says an arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, director of the Elkhorn South High School band who has been employed by the. Elkhorn South High SchoolSalaries Number of employees at Elkhorn South High School in year 2020 was 96. Copyright 2021 WOWT. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. Father, son charged with animal cruelty after hundreds of dead and dying cattle found on Lincoln County property, Mullen basketball tournament honors late coaches, Bridge of hope Advocacy Center raises over $15,000 in their event, NPIce closes early due to mechanical issues. Bluford also allegedly had the victim sit on her lap at school and rock them three times a week, calling this their quiet time. Later, Bluford also allegedly took the victim to her car for cuddles in an effort to get the student to fall asleep; and would rub her hands over the students body, including private areas, documents show. Mark Hiebner. Dr. Harriet Bluford Memorial Scholarship: Delanie Ferzely: Dr. Michelle Bluford Music Scholarship: Elizabeth Watzke: Echelon Homes Construction & Engineering Scholarship: Miguel Redlin: She has resided in the Omaha area for several decades, Knipe said. READ MORE: Elkhorn South band director arrested on felony child abuse charge. She was ordered held on $75,000 bail.. He brings a vast knowledge of brass pedagogy that helped to take our students to the next level. Average annual salary was $55,450 and median salary was $55,972. (Picture from Douglas County Sheriff's Office), Omaha's News, Weather & Traffic with the Good Morning Show, Scott Voorhees, Lucy Chapman, and Sean Callahan with Husker Sports, Traffic Reports from A1 United Heating & Air, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Perchal said Brian Nelsen has been named Elkhorn Souths band director, while Bluford remains on administrative leave. (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge.. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. Bluford began to isolate the student, sometimes taking the student off school grounds, texting the student, and having the student sign on to an app so they could be tracked, court documents state. "It is our hope that we can begin to bring this matter to a close and continue to move forward in the best interest of our students," she said. Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse. Kjelstrup told the judge Bluford would take the victim to her car for cuddling sessions. Parks went on to say they are dedicated to protecting students from abuse and neglect and said they will take prompt action when a report is received. Band Director. OMAHA, Neb. Dr. Scott Cowan Professor, Jazz studies Western Michigan University. 1.1K1.1K. (Beth Macdonald/Unsplash) (OMAHA, Neb.) Blufords attorney, Matt Knipe, said Bluford has no criminal history and many ties to the community because of her two decades of employment with the Elkhorn Public Schools. The girl had reported her allegations of abuse to someone this summer, and the allegations then were brought to authorities. Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. A spokeswoman with Elkhorn Public Schools confirmed Wednesday that ESHS summer band activities had resumed under the direction of Brian Nelsen, recently named the high schools new band director. . Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Sheriff's Office says, after consultation with the Douglas County Attorneys Office, an arrest warrant had earlier been issued for Bluford. The Sheriff says investigators last month were made aware of a potentially inappropriate relationship between a staff member and student occurring at Elkhorn South High School. The arrest warrant doesn't say exactly what Michelle Bluford, 55, is alleged to have done. Achievements . According to her biography on the Music for All website, where Bluford is listed as a summer symposium faculty member, before teaching in Elkhorn she spent six years at Ponca Public Schools and six years at Benson High School. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. EPS Administration Building Staff District Staff Building Facilities Personnel Student Services Maintenance Teacher Training Conference Center Staff Bluford worked for the Elkhorn school district for 21 of her 33 years as a teacher. Elkhorn South band teachers were placed on administrative leave at the end of June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship involving a staff member and a former student. Previous reports from the Douglas County Sheriffs Office revealed that Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years. The DCSO release came back in July when Bluford was booked for her arrest warrant. They referred to this a quiet time, judge. 5 6 7 Last I heard she was supposed to appear in court again last august but no update since then. The board voted to approve the resignation also without any questions or comments. Bluford, Kjelstrup said, had told the student that her family didnt care for her and made other statements that led the student to become alienated from her friends and family. Five of the board members voted to terminate the contract without question or comment. She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. "The physical safety and personal well-being of our students is always our top priority and we believe the actions taken today reflect our continued dedication to our students.". Further into the release, DCSO states, the relationship consisted of predatory grooming behaviors which eventually lead to inappropriate sexual contact with the former student by Dr. Bluford. Officials say no more details will be released to the public until the investigation is complete and the Elkhorn Public School admission has been fully cooperative. That charge could include endangering the life of a child; depriving them of necessities; placing the child in a situation that could lead to sexual exploitation; or forcing the child to engage in prostitution, indecency, pornography, or another situation allowing for sexual abuse. OMAHA, Neb. "I love when the student's lightbulb turns on when they engage," said Sekle. DSCO says the time frame was about three years but court documents say two. She previous also taught in the Ponca Public Schools and Omaha Public Schools . She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. Welcome to Shawn Bells teaching platform Bell Tone Brass Studio. KMTV has reached out to Habrock for more information regarding this resignation but has yet to hear back. At one point, Kjelstrup said, Bluford made the girl sign up for an app that would allow Bluford to track the girls location. At some point, the victim came over to the defendant's apartment and saw numerous photos of the victim, including a large photo of the victim displayed at the defendant's apartment, Kjelstrup said. OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - The former Elkhorn South High School band director on Wednesday bonded out of Douglas County Jail, where she had been held on a felony child abuse charge. On Monday, Omaha authorities issued an arrest warrant following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship between an Elkhorn South High School band teacher and student, KETV Omaha reported. This $500 scholarship honors Dr. Bluford's life-long passion for education by recognizing a student graduating from an Elkhorn Public high school who displays positive participation in school and/or community activities and plans to continue his/her education in the field of education . (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. The Sheriff's Office says Elkhorn Public Schools have been fully cooperative during the investigation. Incidents happened both on and off school grounds over the course of a couple of years. Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. You have permission to edit this article. Bluford drove the girl around in her car, where cuddling sessions occurred, Kjelstrup said, and Bluford tried to get the girl to fall asleep. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. "I try to learn about my students and find stories that relate to them." Sekle was nominated by Dean Hohn, a chemical engineering major. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says Elkhorn South High School Band Director Dr. Michelle Bluford was taken into custody Monday evening without incident for one count of Felony Child Abuse in an investigation that is ongoing.