In a hostage situation, Jordan schools would go into lockdown, she said. The principal would call 911, and teachers would bolt doors and cover windows and move, with their students, away from any glass or potential line of fire, then wait for further instruction from police or other authorities. Provo and Davis have a similar protocol. Teachers isolate the students from the potential weapons problem in their classroom to keep them safe and also to clear hallways and other spaces for police. The Provo Police Department is trained to respond with an emergency team in such situations.

In Davis, the district as well as safety officials have access to surveillance cameras in Davis schools. The district also has an emergency call-out computer system where officials can leave a message and within minutes the homes of every family with students in the school will be contacted.

"Any time there is a threat or anything, it's announced over the intercom system," Hudnall said. "The teachers get their students and they gather into their classrooms and everything is locked down. They're not allowed to leave the classroom until the message is clear to get out."

Jordan also requires visitors to sign in and wear a badge, and has stationed hall monitors approach and assist visitors, Naylor said.

Since the boost in school security — and newfound awareness — Utah authorities have foiled some potential school terror plots. Just days after the Columbine murders, Layton police found a pipe bomb in a teenager's home and uncovered a threat to blow up a junior high school. Two years ago, four Uintah High students were taken into police custody after allegedly drafting a plot to kill classmates, school officials and their parents.

"You're never prepared for the tragedy of the event, but we are prepared to respond, deal with the recovery after," Naylor said. "It's the scariest thing in the world to think about your kids being out there, in a building, and you don't know what's happening. As a parent, I just want my teachers to love my kids ... and know they'll do the best they can to protect them."

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