By Kevin Hanson-The Courier-Herald

When school violence erupts anywhere in the United States, parents are set on edge and discussions about school safety inevitably follow.

It's no different on the Plateau. Last week's tragedy in Pennsylvania, where a gunman shot 10 girls at an Amish school, killing five, rekindled concerns. It's been that way since Columbine, school official agree.

Mike Nelson, assistant superintendent for the Enumclaw School District, understands parental worries and community concerns. &#8220Incidents like that one certainly bring it back up again,” he said, referring to the Pennsylvania killings.

Nelson said a team from the high school and Superintendent Art Jarvis had met last week with Enumclaw Police Chief Jim Zoll to review school security measures, particularly at Enumclaw High.

An example of the discussion would be the need for accurate campus maps, Nelson said. In a crisis, it's imperative that police know where all windows and entrance doors are located. That was an issue in the aftermath of Columbine, one that has been addressed by school districts nationwide.

Nelson said certain security measures have been, in effect. Anyone visiting campus is supposed to be wearing a badge, issued at the school office, for example.

White River Superintendent Thomas Lockyer said he had received no calls from parents in the wake of the Pennsylvania tragedy, but realizes all parents share concerns.

&#8220Our demographics are no different than communities where these things occur,” he said, admitting that no school is entirely safe from intruders.

In the post-Columbine era, Lockyer said, all schools have been mandated to adopt certain safety procedures. And newer schools, such as 4-year-old White River High, have gone to great lengths to protect students and staff, he added. For example, the high school requires &#8220key card” access to prevent unwanted visitors.

At the time of the Pennsylvania shootings, Lockyer said, the White River district had already started a review of its emergency procedures. The goal, he explained, is to align policies for dealing with all situations, whether they be natural disasters or a man-made crisis.