Security at local schools is an ongoing concern, officials said Friday in response to the mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut that left more than two dozen people dead, including at least 20 children.

“From my understanding, Newtown, Conn., is a small rural community, just like we are,” said Carlisle Local Schools Superintendent Larry Hook. “We certainly have a security plan in place that encompasses a scenario like that. Everybody has, ever since the Littleton, Colo. incident. (Columbine) sparked a whole new debate of ‘What do we do, and how do you protect yourself as much as you can?’ “

Several Butler County school officials said they reexamined security procedures in the wake of Friday’s tragedy.

At Fairfield City Schools, officials sent out reminders of security policies to staff, Superintendent Paul Otten said.

“We’re constantly looking to update our plans,” Otten said. “It’s good to have a reminder to go through that with our kids, but you hate to have this type of event be that reminder.”

“You always have to be on the alert, unfortunately,” said Dick Wood, who has been the principal at Fairfield Central Elementary for 24 years.

Central Elementary, which is the oldest building in the district, requires visitors to buzz in at a front door and then check in at the office before being allowed to enter the main school building.

Because all buildings in Hamilton City Schools are newly constructed or remodeled, they are equipped with state-of-the-art security, said Joni Copas, spokeswoman for the district. Each school requires all visitors to be buzzed in to have access to the building.

“Student safety is a high priority for our district,” Copas said. “Each classroom and main office have an Emergency Procedures Guide to follow in the event of a situation.”

State law requires all Ohio school boards to adopt a comprehensive school safety plan for each school building. Districts must have a protocol for addressing serious threats to safety and any emergency events that could compromise the safety of students or staff.

That plan, often created with the help of police, must be updated at least once every three years. Copies of the school safety plan and blueprints must be filed with local law enforcement agencies and the fire department, and filed with the attorney general’s office.

Ohio Acting Superintendent Michael Sawyers said Friday that the Ohio Department of Education also encourages all school districts to go beyond the minimum requirements of the law.

“Schools cannot do this without a partnership between parents, communities and local safety officials,” he said. “Please continue to be proactive in doing everything possible to protect students.”

Butler County-area educators reported consistently reevaluating security policies and efforts within that plan throughout the school year and during the summer, and conducting lockdown drills multiple times per year.

High schools often have security officers on site, while elementary and middle schools usually have school resource officers who spend time at multiple schools in that district.

“Our School Resource Officer worked with all faculty in the buildings to train in two different types of security — in the building and shelter in place,” said Monroe Local Schools Superintendent Phil Cagwin. “They also practice it with the children. We’ve already done a shelter in place drill this year. We’re certainly so grateful for the Monroe City Council for helping us to have an SRO in our buildings.”

“All secondary schools have para-professionals who monitor students and common areas throughout the buildings,” Copas, of Hamilton City Schools, said.

Mary Beth DeWitt, a psychologist at Dayton Children’s Medical Center, said some children may feel scared or unsafe going back to school, but it’s important that kids do go back to school.

“You need to reassure them that the teachers are there to keep them safe,” she said. “We have to reassure them that there are trusted adults at school and at home that are going to take care of them.”

School officials across the area said they would make counselors available if students want to talk or ask questions Monday.