Category: A&T Funding

As school safety continues to be a top priority for Alabama districts, the Alabama Advancement and Technology (A&T) Fund provides an important opportunity to invest in solutions that enhance campus security, communication, and emergency response. With careful planning, these funds can go a long way in strengthening the safety infrastructure of your schools.

At nSide, we offer several eligible solutions that not only meet the criteria for A&T funding but also provide long-term value for your school community. Here’s how you can make the most of your A&T investment:

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nSide|Live: Real-Time Campus Visibility

nSide|Live enables secure, real-time video streaming from your campus security cameras. This live feed is fully integrated with the nSide platform, providing a centralized view for school officials and first responders during critical situations. By enhancing situational awareness, this solution allows for faster and more informed decision-making in emergencies.

Eligible Use: Real-time video monitoring and emergency response tools.

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nSide|Edge: Hardware Built for Safety

Your software solutions are only as strong as the infrastructure behind them. nSide|Edge provides the critical hardware needed to support your safety technology. Whether you are upgrading an existing system or building from the ground up, this solution ensures your security tech is stable, reliable, and scalable.

Eligible Use: Physical infrastructure for school safety technology.

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nSide|Boost: Stronger Network, Smarter Safety

Reliable connectivity is critical for effective emergency communication. nSide|Boost strengthens your campus’s cellular signal, ensuring that communication tools like radios, phones, and mass notification systems remain operational when it matters most. By improving cellular coverage across your facilities, staff and emergency responders can stay connected and coordinate faster during high-stress situations.

Eligible Use: Cellular infrastructure upgrades to support emergency communication and safety systems.

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nSide|Lockdown: Streamlined Emergency Alerts

When seconds count, nSide|Lockdown empowers your team to respond quickly. This solution allows for a full campus lockdown to be initiated with the push of a button. It integrates seamlessly with other nSide tools to notify staff, local law enforcement, and other key stakeholders in real time.

Eligible Use: Emergency notification and response systems.

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nSide|Fleet: Safer Student Transportation

Safety doesn’t stop at the school building. nSide|Fleet offers GPS tracking and live updates for school buses, ensuring students are safe from the moment they leave home to the moment they return. Fleet data is fully integrated into the nSide Platform, making it easier for transportation staff and administrators to monitor and respond to any concerns.

Eligible Use: Transportation safety and vehicle tracking.

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nSide|Training: Prepared Staff, Safer Schools

Technology is only effective when users are confident and capable. nSide|Training provides in-depth, hands-on training for school staff, administrators, and safety personnel. Led by professionals with experience in education, law enforcement, and emergency response, this training equips your team with the skills and knowledge to use safety tools effectively.

Eligible Use: Professional development and emergency preparedness training.

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Start Planning Today

The Alabama A&T Fund offers a strategic opportunity to enhance your school safety infrastructure. At nSide, our goal is to help you create a safer learning environment for every student, teacher, and staff member. We’re here to assist with funding guidance, product selection, and implementation support—every step of the way.

As school districts continue navigating a landscape shaped by growing safety concerns, evolving technology, and funding fluctuations, one thing is certain: how you invest your resources today can define your district’s security for years to come. That’s why now, more than ever, it’s crucial to think beyond quick fixes — and start building sustainable, scalable safety solutions.

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Short-Term Fixes vs. Long-Term Strategy

When the  Alabama Advancement and Technology (A&T) funds become available, it can be tempting to make quick, visible upgrades — like installing a few extra cameras or replacing outdated devices. While helpful in the short term, these one-off solutions often don’t integrate into a larger, cohesive safety strategy.

Instead, schools should be asking:

• How does this investment connect to our overall emergency response and safety plan?
• Will it work with the tools we already use?
• Can it adapt to future needs and growth?

A unified safety platform — like nSide — provides exactly that. It brings together emergency planning, facility management, and more into one centralized location. The result? A proactive approach that grows with your school.

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A&T Funds: A Strategic Opportunity

Strategic A&T investments should do more than address current gaps — they should prepare districts for the future. That means choosing technologies that:

• Support district-wide safety goals
• Integrate with first responders
• Offer real-time situational awareness
• Reduce long-term operational costs
• Improve communication and coordination

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Safety is a Partnership, Not a Purchase

School safety isn’t solved with a one-time purchase. It’s an ongoing process that requires training, adaptability, and support. That’s why the best investments are ones that come with long-term partnership — not just products.

With the right technology partner, your district can stay ahead of potential threats while creating a culture of safety that extends from classrooms to communities.

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Let’s Build a Safer Future — Together

Don’t wait for a crisis to reveal the gaps in your school’s safety strategy. Partner with nSide to proactively identify risks, streamline emergency planning, and strengthen your entire safety ecosystem.

Whether you’re looking to enhance communication, support student mental health, or fortify your campus infrastructure, nSide is here to help every step of the way.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.