A day after an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at a Texas elementary school, more law enforcement officers were assigned Wednesday to the four Cumberland County public schools still in session.

Marvin Connelly Jr., superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, said in a statement released by the school system that his heart ached when he heard about the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on Tuesday.

“I remain speechless that we must face this again in our country,” he said.

Connelly said the school officials are taking action in reaction to the shooting.

“Families may see an increased presence of law enforcement at our year-round schools as we work to ensure that our students and staff feel safe during this challenging time,” he said.

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The last day of the school year for traditional schools in Cumberland County was Friday. The four year-round schools – E.E. Miller Elementary School on Rim Road, Anne Chesnutt Middle School on Skibo Road, and Reid Ross Classical middle and high schools on Ramsey Street – are in session through June 3.

Connelly said counselors will be available to talk with students who need support dealing with the shooting. He said resources will be posted on the school system’s website and available through other electronic means for parents of students in traditional schools who need them to help talk to their children about the situation.

“This is indeed not only a time for action but truly a time for prayer,” he said. “Our country needs healing in many ways and from many things.”

Lindsay Whitley, a spokesman for the school system, said initial plans called for the additional law enforcement officers to be at the schools only Wednesday, but they could be asked to stay longer if needed.

“We just wanted to provide the extra sense of security and safety at the schools,” he said.

Whitley said the extra security was not in response to any threat.

“It’s based on what happened unfortunately in Texas,” he said.

The school system always reevaluates its security protocols after a shooting like the one in Uvalde, Whitley said.

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In February 2018, Cumberland County school officials put additional security measures in place after a gunman killed 17 people and wounded 17 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. 

Workers installed door buzzers, cameras and fencing at school buildings and campuses. Clear, polycarbonate security shields or stainless steel mesh were put over some windows, making them harder to break.

School officials started the School Angels program, which is similar to community watch for schools with volunteers walking around the campuses looking for suspicious activity.

School officials also provided emergency services with digital information about every school, including floor plans and contact information.

Whitley said those measures are still in place, along with additional measures that he would not describe.

“We’re constantly upgrading,” he said.

Local news editor Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com.