School districts throughout Butler County tightened security in 2018.

The Butler School District converted its 20-person security force into a municipal school police department.

A new safety and security coordinator, Jeffrey Bitzer, was appointed at the Mars School District, replacing a contractor who previously filled the role.

The Allegheny-Clarion Valley School Board hired its first two school police officers in November. Both carry firearms.

In the Moniteau School District, administrators also hired armed officers. They added four in August, bringing their total to six.

These moves appear to reflect nationwide trends. Armed guards were present in 31 percent of public schools in the 2005-06 school year, compared to 43 percent in the 2015-16 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.