Alia Conley covers breaking news, crime and courts. Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. Elkhorn South Band Director. 5 6 7 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. 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. 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. Copyright 2021 WOWT. The warrant lists a charge of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony. He brings fresh ways of delivering concepts and meets students where they are. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents.. His affability puts students at ease allowing them to progress and work through insecurities. 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. (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. You will receive an email with additional instructions. Five of the board members voted to terminate the contract without question or comment. Kara Perchal, a spokeswoman for the school district, declined to comment on the allegations raised in court Wednesday but later provided a statement about what the district is doing. The warrant lists a charge of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony. One board member, Nancy Rogic-Greufe, was absent during the vote. According to an ESHS band website, Bluford has been a teacher for 33 years 21 of them in the Elkhorn school district. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Submit a Public Notice for Omaha World-Herald, Dirk Chatelain: Driven by the story, mine at The World-Herald has come to an end (for now at least), From 'Inside Edition' to 'Good Morning America,' Nebraska cheerleader inundated with national interviews, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Why Keisei Tominaga is walking on Senior Night - and a key factor in his potential return, McKewon: Why Nebraska teams could roar like lions in March, and a tribute to Dirk Chatelain, From being cut to facing Patrick Mahomes daily, former Nebraska DB Dicaprio Bootle earned ring, Live updates: Nebraska high school girls basketball state tournament, Shatel: Big Ten has a little cleaning up to do before inviting more schools to the party, Former Nebraska corrections employee charged with felony after delivering inmate's baby, officials say, Behind a pair of sisters and unbridled small-town support, Bridgeport believes this is the year, Cheetah briefly escapes enclosure at Omaha zoo, Nebraska high school boys basketball state tournament schedule, Time to move? The Red Line extension will have three new underground stations . Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. 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. I believe this fosters a level of engagement that serves students as both young musicians and life-long patrons of the arts. The board also approved the resignation of another band director from Elkhorn South, Lindsey Bogatz. 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. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. OMAHA, Neb. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. (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 rescheduled. OMAHA, Neb. Dr. Michelle Bluford, and her students here at Elkhorn South High School! (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. 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. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Select a building to view staff. Posted By : / how do i access my talk21 email /; Under :eaglestone village lambertville, mieaglestone village lambertville, mi Bryan Bohn. According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. OMAHA, Neb. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. 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. 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. (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. Number of employees at Elkhorn South High School in year 2020 was 96. Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School band teacher who's accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. Elkhorn South band director's contract terminated, another teacher resigns. alia.conley@owh.com, 402-444-1068, twitter.com/aliaconleyOWH. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. You can cancel at any time. The arrest warrant doesn't say exactly what Michelle Bluford, 55, is alleged to have done. All rights reserved. Dr. Harriet Bluford Memorial Scholarship: Delanie Ferzely: Dr. Michelle Bluford Music Scholarship: Elizabeth Watzke: Echelon Homes Construction & Engineering Scholarship: Miguel Redlin: Litchfield Band Director. 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 Perchal said Brian Nelsen has been named Elkhorn Souths band director, while Bluford remains on administrative leave. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Parks said they are conducting an internal review of their policies and protocols surrounding professional boundaries and will be providing training for all staff. 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. According to court documents, 55-year-old Michelle Bluford was originally charged with child abuse. Tonight Dr. Michelle Bluford sits in the Douglas County Jail as Elkhorn Public Schools confirms a new head band director has been hired, and KETV had the opportunity to talk with one of her. Please subscribe to keep reading. She would then rock the victims face close to her chest as though they were trying to breastfeed. Doug Bogatz. 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. Bluford was placed on administrative leave in June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship. Serving as Music Director of this group is truly a great "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. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Officials at Elkhorn South suspended all summer band activities last month after the investigation was reported. 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. She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. All rights reserved. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. Average annual salary was $55,450 and median salary was $55,972. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. To reset your password, enter your email address and press Submit. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. EPS Administration Building Staff District Staff Building Facilities Personnel Student Services Maintenance Teacher Training Conference Center Staff Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Investigators accuse her of using predatory grooming behaviors which eventually led to inappropriate sexual contact with the former student by Bluford.