She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. (Beth Macdonald/Unsplash) (OMAHA, Neb.) Facebook Once, Kjelstrup said, the girl went to Blufords apartment, where the girl saw numerous photos of herself, including one large photo. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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, publicfile@ksnblocal4.com - (402) 467-4321. There was a problem saving your notification. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. Serving as Music Director of this group is truly a great 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. District Staff | Elkhorn Public Schools District Staff Below are the campus buildings that house District Staff with the departments listed under each building. Elkhorn South band director charged with child abuse in case involving former student. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. At this time, this remains an ongoing personnel matter. Bluford has been director of the Elkhorn South High School band for several years and has been employed by the district for two decades. His affability puts students at ease allowing them to progress and work through insecurities. 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. Copyright 2021 WOWT. As a guest conductor for our WMU Jazz Orchestra he directed with focus and precision. OMAHA, Neb. Michelle A. Bluford, music educator. Mark Hiebner. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. (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. 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. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. (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. Doug Bogatz. Last I heard she was supposed to appear in court again last august but no update since then. 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 district for two decades. She would then rock the victims face close to her chest as though they were trying to breastfeed. Michelle Bluford is alleged to have initiated and nurtured a relationship with a former student over a period of three . 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. Member of National Education Association, Nebraska Bandmasters Association (secretary 19882002, concert band festival chair since 2003), National Music Educators Association, Alpha Delta Pi (secretary, vice president 1986-1988), Phi Beta Mu. Phone: (308) 446-2244. "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. 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. 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. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. "I try to learn about my students and find stories that relate to them." Sekle was nominated by Dean Hohn, a chemical engineering major. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5. She can be released if she posts 10% of that amount, or $7,500. (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. 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. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. Michelle Bluford, 55, who worked for the Elkhorn Public Schools for more than 20 years, is accused of grooming a former female student for two years, forcing her to download an app so her. 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. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for. 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 WOWT. (KMTV) Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn South High School band teacher who is accused of felony child abuse, made her first court appearance Wednesday morning. The victim would sit on the defendant's lap and she would rock her, Kjelstrup said. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. 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. 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. 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. Number of employees at Elkhorn South High School in year 2020 was 96. To reset your password, enter your email address and press Submit. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. Dr. Michelle Bluford, and her students here at Elkhorn South High School! 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. At one point, Kjelstrup said, Bluford made the girl sign up for an app that would allow Bluford to track the girls location. At this time, this remains an ongoing personnel matter. Advertisement Employees Number 417 1 2 3 . You can cancel at any time. 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. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. Investigators believe Bluford groomed a student at Elkhorn South starting in 2017, which led to sexual contact with the student. 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. In addition to lessons, Shawn is available for clinics, masterclasses, and other small and large ensemble coaching by appointment. All rights reserved. Litchfield Band Director. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. (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. The girl told authorities that Bluford touched her inner legs, vagina and breasts during these interactions. Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse. Officials at Elkhorn South suspended all summer band activities last month after the investigation was reported. According to court documents, 55-year-old Michelle Bluford was originally charged with child abuse. Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage. The defendant would intertwine her legs with the victim and hug the victim tightly, Kjelstrup said. 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. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. 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. 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. The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation recognized our Elkhorn South High School scholarship winners at our Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on April 28th, 2021. . . 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. 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 5 6 7 Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. According to an ESHS band website, Bluford has been a teacher for 33 years 21 of them in the Elkhorn school district. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. 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. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. Details revealed in court Wednesday alleged Dr. Michelle Bluford manipulated the student,. 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. 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. Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. 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. Bluford worked for the Elkhorn school district for 21 of her 33 years as a teacher. Director bands Elkhorn High School, since 2000. Bluford drove the girl around in her car, where cuddling sessions occurred, Kjelstrup said, and Bluford tried to get the girl to fall asleep. An arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. 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