Wilmington School Committee Votes 5-2 to Approve Doorman App for Bell-to-Bell Phone Ban

PEPPERELL — May 28, 2026 — Wilmington School Committee approves Doorman app deal for student cell phone ban, 5-2. The committee voted Wednesday to enter an agreement with Doorman, a venture-backed startup, to use its near-field communication app to enforce a bell-to-bell phone restriction at the middle and high schools, pending a favorable review from district legal counsel. The app, which costs $5 per student, works by having students tap their phones on NFC sticker tags in classrooms at the start of first period, locking the devices until dismissal. High School Principal Jeff Gendron and Assistant Principal Aaron Dunham presented the proposal, citing endorsement from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and positive reports from Watertown and Westfield high schools. Member Dr. McCauley, who voted no, pressed the company on financial solvency, backend security, and whether the committee had reviewed the full commercial software contract, not just the data processing agreement. Member Nicholas Golden, who moved the amended motion, said the district can simply "delete the app" if it does not work out; member Mr. Ragsdale seconded that framing, calling it a low-risk pilot. State legislation requiring a bell-to-bell ban remains in conference committee and has not yet been signed by the governor.