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. She has won numerous awards, including OPS Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award. (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. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021 WOWT. Elkhorn South band director charged with child abuse in case involving former student. Bluford worked for the Elkhorn school district for 21 of her 33 years as a teacher. 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 Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. 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.. 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Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. Advertisement Employees Number 417 1 2 3 . The victim would sit on the defendant's lap and she would rock her, Kjelstrup said. 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. 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. The board ended the meeting with a statement, delivered by Board President Amy Parks. She has resided in the Omaha area for several decades, Knipe said. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. - 2 - Friends, Thank you so much for joining us for today's concert. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. (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. Average annual salary was $55,450 and median salary was $55,972. Zadzwo do nas: 600-88-46-13 | email:would a diamond pickaxe work in real life South Sioux City Band Director. The girl told authorities that approximately three times a week, the two would have quiet time, which was when the girl would sit on Blufords lap. 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. "We offer our deepest sympathies to the victim and her family and are very saddened by the events that transpired," Parks said, reading from a prepared statement. Bluford is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. Her preliminary hearing is August 27 at 9 a.m. A spokesperson for Elkhorn Public Schools said Bluford remains on administrative leave and they will continue to cooperate with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office investigation. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. 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. (AP) A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of inappropriate contact and sexually abuse of a former student over a three-year period. Doug Bogatz. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School's band director, is charged with one count of intentional child abuse and ordered held on $75,000 bail. 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. She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. LISBON Metro has launched a tender for the construction of a 4km extension of the Red Line from So Sebastio to Alcntara. Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. Kjelstrup added that Bluford would kiss the girls head, face and arms. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Elkhorn South band director arrested on felony child abuse charge. I don't know why it just popped into my head to ask now, but just curious if anyone knows the outcome. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Alia Conley covers breaking news, crime and courts. Copyright 2021 WOWT. OMAHA, Neb. She can be released if she posts 10% of that amount, or $7,500. Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse. 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. 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. There was a problem saving your notification. (Beth Macdonald/Unsplash) (OMAHA, Neb.) I believe this fosters a level of engagement that serves students as both young musicians and life-long patrons of the arts. (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. Kjelstrup told the judge Bluford would take the victim to her car for cuddling sessions. Documents now indicate that Bluford also faces two counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. An investigation was conducted by the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, which established Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn South Band Director, initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years. Send an Email. The vote came down at a special meeting on Monday afternoon. Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. She also taught for six years at Omaha Benson and Ponca Public School, according to her bio on that site, and has also served as president of the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association. 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. Ryan Placek, Millard North High School. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for. 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. Copyright 2021 WOWT. The Sheriff's Office says Elkhorn Public Schools have been fully cooperative during the investigation. The board also approved the resignation of another band director from Elkhorn South, Lindsey Bogatz. Dr. Michelle Bluford, and her students here at Elkhorn South High School! The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. 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. OMAHA, Neb. 22 9 comments Best Add a Comment 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. 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. EPS Administration Building Staff District Staff Building Facilities Personnel Student Services Maintenance Teacher Training Conference Center Staff He brings fresh ways of delivering concepts and meets students where they are. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. She has been an educator for 16 years, including 14 at Benson High. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. . Five of the board members voted to terminate the contract without question or comment. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. Copyright 2021 WOWT. The warrant lists a charge of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School band teacher who's accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. 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. (KMTV) - The Elkhorn Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to cancel the contract of Elkhorn South band director Dr. Michelle Bluford. 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. DSCO says the time frame was about three years but court documents say two. Douglas County Sheriff's Office (NE) announce the arrest of Elkhorn South High School Band Director Dr. Michelle Bluford, 55, in connection with an inappropriate relationship with a student for three years. OMAHA, Neb. 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 High SchoolSalaries Number of employees at Elkhorn South High School in year 2020 was 96. Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. The two began texting, Kjelstrup said, and Bluford told the girl that she missed her and couldnt wait for her to hurry back to school. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. His affability puts students at ease allowing them to progress and work through insecurities. 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. 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. Oakland-Craig Band Director. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage. She then would rock the victim with her face close to her chest as if she were trying to breastfeed, Kjelstrup said.