Schools will now be more successful

I'm so excited that the school levy for the Cincinnati Public Schools passed. What a great day. I had returned from the Clifton Elementary School to donate our Leap Frog computer reading tool (they can use more) and observed the literacy center in action.

The kids are working hard with the reading tutors, and the room is so comfortable and cheerful. Just one more piece of evidence that education is serious and getting more successful at CPS. I wish the best for all kids and teachers and look forward to the sorely needed community development projects this levy will help fund.

Florine Postell, Clifton

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Bond issue passing was a dark day

I must heartily disagree with CPS Superintendent Alton Frailey's contention that "The sun has shone on Cincinnati." I believe it to be a dark day, indeed when 10.92 percent of the registered voters can impose a $480 million, 28-year bond issue upon the homeowners of Cincinnati.

Why is it a constant surprise that Cincinnati continues to lose population? Our only defense from such injustice is to join the migration from the city. For those registered and unregistered residents who did not vote: Shame on you for aiding this travesty.

If you don't agree with me, forgive me please. It was probably my exposure to lead paint in my '40s and '50s classrooms that has affected my reasoning.

James Sturgill, Northside

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Taxpayers lost CPS accountability

I see by coverage and editorials on May 7 that the Enquirer's bias for the Cincinnati Public School's continues. It's stated that with passage of the bond levy the school board will build 35 new schools and renovate 31 others. While that may have been the sales pitch, the actual verbiage of the issue only requires the school board to use the money for renovation and repairs.

The school board has reserved the right to change the plan as they see fit over the 10-year process. Enrollment decreases due to charter school proliferation, eventual issuance of vouchers, construction delays and cost overruns will only guarantee that city property owners will pay taxes for 28 years and not get the promised number of repaired and/or replaced schools.

Passage of the levy Tuesday stole from the taxpayer any leverage they had in forcing accountability from the school board.

Steven Kirschner, Roselawn

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Homeowners did not turn out to vote

Reporter Howard Wilkinson made an interesting point on May 7 Wednesday when he noted that the CPS bond was approved because of low voter turnout in neighborhoods with a high percentage of home ownership - unlike the November election, in which these neighborhoods opposed the levy 4-to-1.

What emerges is that the people who will actually pay for this levy, myself included, don't want to; while largely those who don't pay property tax approved the bill. So much for taxation with representation.

Why was nobody rallying the homeowners?

Alter Raubvogel, Golf Manor