MANITOU SPRINGS — Manitou Springs Middle School and High School will be on a two-hour delay Monday, Oct. 14.
The delay was called in anticipation of a planned protest at Manitou Springs High School by the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church.
The school district posted the following statement on its website Sunday evening:
Manitou Springs High School and Manitou Springs Middle School are on a 2 hour delay for the morning of Monday, Oct. 14
At Manitou Springs School District, our top priority is to have a safe and productive learning environment for students and staff.
This evening, we have been working closely with the City of Manitou Springs. In reviewing today's protests in Colorado Springs, we have decided that we will be on a 2-hour delay tomorrow, Monday, October 14. This only pertains to Middle and High School students. Busses will pick-up students 2-hours later than the usual pick-up time. For example, if your child is typically picked up at 7:00 am. Your child will be picked up at 9:00 am.
School will begin at 10:05 am. Students may start arriving at 9:35 am.
We will let you know if any changes are made to this start time. If you choose to keep your child home tomorrow, please notify the Attendance Office at the Middle or High School.
Thank you so much for working with us on this.
It's not clear why Westboro chose Manitou Springs High School as a target for protest.
The group staged protests at a handful of Colorado Springs churches on Sunday. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church are known for protests containing hate speech that center around targeting LGBTQ people, other religions, politicians, and the military.
