MARLBORO, NJ — One New Jersey school district is starting the new year by adding armed guards at its schools.

School officials in Marlboro say they are placing armed, uniformed township police officers in the district’s schools.

A message to parents on the website of the central New Jersey township says the measure will be in place temporarily while the board of education and township officials continue to discuss further security improvements.

Parents can expect the police presence when schools reopen Wednesday after the New Year’s holiday.

The move comes in response to the recent shooting in Newtown, Conn., in which 20 children and six educators were killed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School.