Elkhorn South High SchoolSalaries Number of employees at Elkhorn South High School in year 2020 was 96. 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. All rights reserved. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. Copyright 2021 WOWT. 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. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. "I love when the student's lightbulb turns on when they engage," said Sekle. Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. Share Tweet Advertisement Search "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. 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. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. OMAHA, Neb. Bluford also required the girl to hug her at the beginning and end of each school day, the prosecutor said. Dr. Scott Cowan Professor, Jazz studies Western Michigan University. Prosecutors believe she groomed the victim, a student at Elkhorn South, for two to three years. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. All rights reserved. Dr. Michelle Bluford, the band director at Elkhorn South High School, was taken into custody late Monday, following a month-long investigation. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. She has been an educator for 16 years, including 14 at Benson High. She was ordered held on $75,000 bail.. Last I heard she was supposed to appear in court again last august but no update since then. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. 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 The victim would sit on the defendant's lap and she would rock her, Kjelstrup said. She would then rock the victims face close to her chest as though they were trying to breastfeed. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. 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. Investigators accuse her of using predatory grooming behaviors which eventually led to inappropriate sexual contact with the former student by Bluford. 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. What ever happened to Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn band teacher? 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 Average annual salary was $55,450 and median salary was $55,972. Elkhorn South band director charged with child abuse in case involving former 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. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. According to an ESHS band website, Bluford has been a teacher for 33 years 21 of them in the Elkhorn school district. Shawn has a keen sense and ability for being able to identify what will help students feel successful in jazz improvisation immediately. Dr. Harriet Bluford Memorial Scholarship: Delanie Ferzely: Dr. Michelle Bluford Music Scholarship: Elizabeth Watzke: Echelon Homes Construction & Engineering Scholarship: Miguel Redlin: OMAHA, Neb. Send an Email. According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. 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. 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. 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 (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. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. Please subscribe to keep reading. A Douglas County judge has signed an arrest warrant for Michelle Bluford, a music teacher with the Elkhorn Public School District. Copyright 2021 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. Former Elkhorn South band director accused of child abuse bonds out of jail. The vote came down at a special meeting on Monday afternoon. Copyright 2021 WOWT. Dr. Michelle Bluford. 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. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. 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. Band Director. Incidents happened both on and off school grounds over the course of a couple of years. 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. All rights reserved. Omaha, NE - 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 also repeatedly kissed the victims head, face and arms.. 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. 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. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. Is her trial still in process? 22 9 comments Best Add a Comment 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. She then would rock the victim with her face close to her chest as if she were trying to breastfeed, Kjelstrup said. Once, Kjelstrup said, the girl went to Blufords apartment, where the girl saw numerous photos of herself, including one large photo. alia.conley@owh.com, 402-444-1068, twitter.com/aliaconleyOWH. OMAHA, Neb. The warrant lists a charge of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony. Kristi Hiles-Smith. She was ordered held on $75,000 bail. Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. 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. Elkhorn South High Schools band director is accused of grooming a former female student for two years, forcing her to download an app so her movements could be tracked, rocking the girl as if she were breastfeeding her and touching the girl inappropriately. She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. 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. Kjelstrup told the judge Bluford would take the victim to her car for cuddling sessions. Matthew Knipe, Blufords attorney said she has long-standing ties to the community. She has resided in the Omaha area for several decades, Knipe said. {{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? As a guest conductor for our WMU Jazz Orchestra he directed with focus and precision. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. OMAHA, Neb. Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage. 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. 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. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. The board voted to approve the resignation also without any questions or comments. 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. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. 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. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Michelle Bluford is alleged to have initiated and nurtured a relationship with a former student over a period of three . Elkhorn South Band Director. Bluford drove the girl around in her car, where cuddling sessions occurred, Kjelstrup said, and Bluford tried to get the girl to fall asleep. 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 . According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. He brings a vast knowledge of brass pedagogy that helped to take our students to the next level. Parks said they are conducting an internal review of their policies and protocols surrounding professional boundaries and will be providing training for all staff. Achievements . EPS Administration Building Staff District Staff Building Facilities Personnel Student Services Maintenance Teacher Training Conference Center Staff 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. 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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. 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. Number of employees at Elkhorn South High School in year 2020 was 96. Her bands and students have performed at the regional, state and national levels. 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. Serving as Music Director of this group is truly a great 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. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Douglas County sheriffs deputies still are investigating the matter and looking into Blufords background. OMAHA, Neb. Email Address:. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. 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. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. 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. The alleged victim graduated in 2019, documents state. You have permission to edit this article. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. She has won numerous awards, including OPS Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. 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. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. 1.1K1.1K. Doug Bogatz. Investigators believe Bluford groomed a student at Elkhorn South starting in 2017, which led to sexual contact with the student. Superintendent Bary Habrock presented the request for Bluford's contract to be terminated.