The Alabama Advancement and Technology (A&T) Fund offers public schools across the state a valuable opportunity to invest in much-needed upgrades. While districts often use these dollars for infrastructure, instructional tools, or facility improvements, one of the most impactful ways to allocate A&T funds is toward enhancing school safety.
If you’re starting to think about how to best use this year’s funding, let us walk you through practical, eligible investments that support the safety and wellbeing of your entire school community.
Why Prioritize Safety?
School safety isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about preventing them, staying prepared, and ensuring that everyone on campus knows how to act when every second counts. The A&T Fund includes “school security measures” as a key area of focus, meaning your district can strengthen your safety systems without pulling from your day-to-day operating budget.
Eligible Safety Solutions You Can Fund
Here are a few ways Alabama schools can use their A&T funds to upgrade safety systems:
1. Emergency Management Tools
nSide – The School Safety Platform™ gives your school a central place to manage emergency operations plans, building maps, reunification processes, and more. These digital tools streamline crisis response and ensure your safety team is always aligned—before, during, and after an incident.
2. Video Surveillance Systems
Installing or upgrading security cameras is a one-time investment that can make a long-term impact. Whether you’re expanding coverage, improving camera quality, or integrating your system with local law enforcement, A&T funds can help cover those costs.
3. Mass Communication & Alert Tools
Reliable communication is critical in a crisis. A&T funds can help districts implement or enhance tools like silent panic alert systems and district-wide notification platforms that keep staff, students, and first responders in sync during an emergency.
4. Access Control & Door Locking Systems
Controlling who enters your campus—and when—is foundational to school safety. Upgrades such as integrated door locking solutions can help prevent unauthorized access while improving day-to-day campus security.
5. Fleet & Transportation Safety Tools
If your district operates buses or campus vehicles, A&T funds can be used to support fleet tracking tools, GPS monitoring, and communication systems to ensure safety beyond the school building.
How to Start Planning
The A&T Fund is designed for one-time expenses, so it’s a great fit for capital investments in technology and infrastructure. As you begin planning:
- Review your district’s most pressing safety needs
- Evaluate what’s already in place and where gaps exist
- Consult with your school safety partners (like nSide!) to explore eligible upgrades
- Create a roadmap that prioritizes long-term impact and ease of use
We’re Here to Help
Navigating funding opportunities can be complicated, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team at nSide is here to walk with you every step of the way—from identifying the best-fit solutions to helping you prepare your funding plan.
Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re ready to implement new tools, we’re here to support you.
