School Committee Approves Doorman App Agreement for Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone Policy

What happened

In the approved minutes of the May 27, 2026 meeting, the School Committee voted 5-2 to approve entering into an agreement with the Doorman app company to implement a bell-to-bell cell phone restriction, contingent on an approving legal review from district counsel, ahead of a forthcoming new district cell phone policy.

Why it matters to families

This is a family-facing operating policy change affecting all students' daily phone access at school, involves a new vendor handling student data, and commits district funds (~$5/student) to a young, venture-backed company; two committee members raised significant concerns about data security, financial solvency, and rushing the decision before state law is finalized.

The evidence

"Motion: Mr. Golden moved that the School Committee approve the district entering into an agreement with the Doorman app company to acquire its app and services as part of a forthcoming new district cell phone policy... Mr. Golden amended the motion to make approval contingent upon an approving review from district counsel... Vote: 5 in favor, with Mr. Mercaldi and Mr. Turner opposed. The motion passed."

The source