All rights reserved. Bluford was placed on administrative leave in June as the Douglas County Sheriffs Office investigated allegations of an inappropriate relationship. Achievements . The vote was 5-0 with one absent. 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. His laid back demeanor, however, does not diminish his level of focus and attention to detail with fundamentals. Elkhorn South band director booked into jail on suspicion of child abuse. Dr. Michelle Bluford, Elkhorn South High School. 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 Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. OMAHA, Neb. Pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information. She would then rock the victims face close to her chest as though they were trying to breastfeed. 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. The project has a budget of 405.4m, revised from the original estimate of 304m at the end of 2022 due to higher prices for raw materials and labour. According to court documents, during the students junior year, Bluford allegedly manipulated the student into believing their family did not care for them. Dr. Michelle Bluford. The relationship consisted of predatory grooming behavior which lead to sexual contact. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. Prosecutors believe she groomed the victim, a student at Elkhorn South, for two to three years. Share Tweet Advertisement Search Copyright 2021 WOWT. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. The defendant would intertwine her legs with the victim and hug the victim tightly, Kjelstrup said. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine said Douglas County sheriffs deputies still are investigating the matter and looking into Blufords background. Perchal said Brian Nelsen has been named Elkhorn Souths band director, while Bluford remains on administrative leave. Phone: 402-444-1068. Kristi Hiles-Smith. She previous also taught in the Ponca Public Schools and Omaha Public Schools . Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. An arrest warrant was issued Monday for 55-year-old Michelle Bluford, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage. 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. According to the release, Michelle Bluford initiated and nurtured an inappropriate relationship with a former student over a period of approximately three years.. I don't know why it just popped into my head to ask now, but just curious if anyone knows the outcome. Welcome to Shawn Bells teaching platform Bell Tone Brass Studio. 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. 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 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 Sheriff's Office says Elkhorn Public Schools have been fully cooperative during the investigation. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. In addition to lessons, Shawn is available for clinics, masterclasses, and other small and large ensemble coaching by appointment. South Sioux City Band Director. At that time, the school district and DCSO said they could not share further details until the investigation had concluded. According to court documents, 55-year-old Michelle Bluford was originally charged with child abuse. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. "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. At one point, Kjelstrup said, Bluford made the girl sign up for an app that would allow Bluford to track the girls location. Incidents happened both on and off school grounds over the course of a couple of years. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. - 2 - Friends, Thank you so much for joining us for today's concert. The board voted to approve the resignation also without any questions or comments. OMAHA, Neb. Bryan Bohn. 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 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. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. OMAHA, Neb. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. She was booked around 7 p.m. on Monday. Elkhorn South High School average salary is 18 percent higher than USA average and median salary is 29 percent higher than USA median. Michelle A. Bluford, music educator. 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. Band Director. Serving as Music Director of this group is truly a great Director bands Elkhorn High School, since 2000. What ever happened to Michelle Bluford, the Elkhorn band teacher? Copyright 2021 WOWT. Alia Conley covers breaking news, crime and courts. The victim would sit on the defendant's lap and she would rock her, Kjelstrup said. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. According to the Douglas County Sheriff's office, for three years Bluford "initiated and nurtured" an inappropriate relationship with a now former student. 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. 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. 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. Is her trial still in process? (KMTV) - The Elkhorn Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to cancel the contract of Elkhorn South band director Dr. Michelle Bluford. District Staff | Elkhorn Public Schools District Staff Below are the campus buildings that house District Staff with the departments listed under each building. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. sounds good synonympapa smurf tattoo. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents.. 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. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. 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. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Elkhorn South band director arrested on felony child abuse charge. A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. RELATED: Elkhorn South teacher accused of felony child abuse makes first court appearance. 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. Bluford is accused of intentional child abuse with no injury, a Class 3A felony, for a possible inappropriate relationship with a student. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. (Beth Macdonald/Unsplash) (OMAHA, Neb.) She is accused of sexually abusing a student who has since graduated. You have permission to edit this article. Superintendent Bary Habrock presented the request for Bluford's contract to be terminated. OMAHA, Neb. The board also approved the resignation of another band director from Elkhorn South, Lindsey Bogatz. 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. The vote came down at a special meeting on Monday afternoon. 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. OMAHA, Neb. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. The vote was 5-0 with one absent. At this time, this remains an ongoing personnel matter. 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. 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. OMAHA, Neb. "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.". A preliminary hearing for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, is scheduled for Aug. 27. Officials say Bluford was arrested around 7 p.m. Monday on the warrant charging her with felony child abuse. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. 22 9 comments Best Add a Comment Bluford also required the girl to hug her at the beginning and end of each school day, the prosecutor said. The Red Line extension will have three new underground stations . 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. A Douglas County judge has signed an arrest warrant for Michelle Bluford, a music teacher with the Elkhorn Public School District. 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. Douglas County Court issued a warrant for Michelle A. Bluford, 55, on Friday, according to court documents. OMAHA, Neb. 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. (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. The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation recognized our Elkhorn South High School scholarship winners at our Scholarship Recognition Ceremony on April 28th, 2021. . 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. 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. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office had issued a warrant for her arrest Friday, according to court documents. The girl told authorities that Bluford touched her inner legs, vagina and breasts during these interactions. LISBON Metro has launched a tender for the construction of a 4km extension of the Red Line from So Sebastio to Alcntara. 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. (AP) - A west Omaha high school band director has been arrested, accused of abusing a former stude. (WOWT) - An Elkhorn South High School band director is facing a felony child abuse charge stemming from a complaint spanning two years. All rights reserved. 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. Some may find the descriptions in this story disturbing. Parks said they are conducting an internal review of their policies and protocols surrounding professional boundaries and will be providing training for all staff. (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. She is also ordered not to have contact with the alleged victim. Bluford was booked Monday into the Douglas County Jail after a warrant was issued for her arrest late last week. His affability puts students at ease allowing them to progress and work through insecurities. She then would rock the victim with her face close to her chest as if she were trying to breastfeed, Kjelstrup said.