Atlanta Area Schools Step Up Security in Reaction to Today’s Shooting in Connecticut

“And in a situation like this we’d actually station somebody at the door to make sure they’re following that procedure.”

Clayton County will also have extra security in place for tonight’s scheduled sporting events.

In Henry County, the central office immediately contacted administrators at each school, says spokesman J.D. Hardin.

“Just to make them aware of what had happened in case they hadn’t learned and then to make them extra sensitive to anything that may be going on around their schools or their facilities that could be out of the ordinary.”

Georgia’s policy expert on school safety, Garry McGiboney, says parents should be reassured that every district in Georgia has a crises management plan in place. 

He says Columbine and 9/11 changed the entire approach.

“Since those events, schools diligently practice their plans. Practicing evacuation, practicing having a reunification point where you can account for everybody if you had to leave the building, practicing lockdown procedures.”

For local parents, today’s shooting seems all too close.  Mark Johnson was picking up his children from Morningside Elementary this afternoon.  

“It’s worse than terrorism in a way. I was in New York on 9/11.  And when I hear about these kids in school, I think it’s worse.  Because it’s more horrific that someone could do that.”

Governor Deal says he and wife Sandra are “grieving this senseless tragedy, and we know that our fellow Georgians will join us in offering prayers today for the victims and their families.” He’s ordered the state’s flags be flown at half-staff.

Mayor Kasim Reed’s office says his thoughts and prayers are with the families and the entire community.