Former Winside art teacher pleads no contest to amended charges related to student relationship

WAYNE, Neb. -- A former northeast Nebraska teacher has pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges related to an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Former Winside art teacher Rachel McPhillips, who had been facing charges of child abuse and third-degree sexual assault, pleaded no contest to amended charges in Wayne County Court on Monday. According to court documents, McPhillips entered her pleas to charges of disturbing the peace and attempting a class 1 misdemeanor.

The 28-year-old was accused of having a relationship with a student between September of 2021 and April of 2022 with a victim who was 15 at the time.

The case was initially opened after a harassment protection order was filed against her.

She initially pleaded not guilty on two charges last May.

McPhillips is due in court on April 17 for sentencing.

Another former Winside teacher, Cali Heikes, was arrested last month on charges that she had a relationship with a different teenage student, though no formal charges have been filed against her.