Edulog School Bus System in Rogers, Arkansas, an Invite for Pedophiles

The Rogers Public School District in Rogers, Ark., has recently introduced a new online program called Edulog Web Query to 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 our concern to the 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 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.

In other words, we're not responsible, YOU are, even if we provide your child's bus stop location.

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.

Parents check your child's school district website, look see if they are providing the "Pedophile Shopping Cart" disguised as the Edulog Web Query system. If so, please protest by placing a call to all your local school board representatives, demand your child's bus stop not be listed. Your child's life and well being may depend on it.