A Shopping Cart for Pedophiles
By Chloe MacGregor - August 13, 2007

The Rogers Public School District has recently introduced a new online program called Edulog Web Query on their website.   The new, convenient program enables the public to enter a child's grade level and physical address. Upon entering the information, the program will scan its database looking for the school your child is to attend and the time and location of the school bus stop in which he/she will be picked up.

Sounds good doesn't it? Convenience for you as a parent, convenience for the school district and convenience for any sex predator lurking in the shadows just waiting for your child.

Upon speaking STAR’s concern to our local school transportation office and various Rogers school board members and the Edulog company with concerns, we were told, "Everyone is doing it." and "If a predator is stalking your child, he/she is going to find them anyway."

Unacceptable. We ask, "Why enable, why assist?"

Another interesting aspect is the fact Transportation Security Administration/Homeland Security has now included school bus drivers in the "Highway Watch" program. School bus drivers have been instructed, via classes, to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities to the National Highway Watch Call Center which will in turn immediately alert the TSA.  Why? Because terrorists in Iraq were found with maps of schools and school bus routes in their possession. School bus drivers are being taught how to identify and evaluate unusual activity such as "What drew your attention to this person in the first place? Is someone unfamiliar taking photographs or drawing sketches of the area? Is the person asking a lot of questions about the bus route?"  Asking questions about the bus route? They don't have to, the information is already online.

Online research indicates other school systems in the country are using the Edulog system. HOWEVER, most of them are making this information available ONLY behind a secure system using an USER ID and PASSWORD.  For example a school district located in the metropolitan area of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN is using the same system but considers the safety of their children a high priority.

The Rogers District has the same capability.  The children’s grades are kept behind lock and key by using an USER ID and PASSWORD.  Why not their school bus-stop? If grades are considered a priority, isn’t a child’s safety?
 
Late this afternoon we logged into the Rogers School website again, they have now added the following DISCLAIMER to the Web Query system: The bus stop information given in this web query does not guarantee a safe walk path to or from the bus stop. Parents are responsible to get their child to and from the bus safely. The bus stop is not an official assignment until a Transportation Coordinator has reviewed and assigned the bus stop, ensuring the stop meets all guidlines. If you have moved, please make sure you update your address with your school ASAP.

A disclaimer acknowledging a child may be at risk?   We question why our suggestions and concerns have fallen on the deaf ears of our local Administrators, Supervisors and various school board members.

Calls have been placed and received from numerous legislators, Homeland Security, the Arkansas Dept of Education and child protection agencies such as the Jacob Wetterling Foundation and the Morgan Nicks Foundation. ALL agencies have expressed grave concerns. Mr. Frank Green, of Keys To Safer Schools, stated “The Web Query system is a shopping cart for pedophiles.”  We agree. It should be noted Mr. Green was hired by the Rogers District approximately two years ago to test the security of the Rogers District.  

As always, STAR's first priority is the safety of the children we transport everyday. We'll keep you updated and are hoping this latest safety concern will be rectified very shortly.