Cincinnati Public School children went back to school Wednesday, but there wasn't much notice taken of the successful kickoff of the 2004-05 school year. Perhaps the editorial policy toward CPS is "good news is no news." But many good things are happening in CPS that Cincinnatians should know about:

• Most schools have added 30 minutes of instruction each day - almost 17 days' worth of extra instruction.

• First-day attendance was up considerably. CPS' successful campaign increased attendance throughout last year and achieved the level for attendance set by the state.

• After-school tutoring programs start in October, several months earlier than last year. This will give students who need a little extra time and attention an even better chance to be successful early in the school year.

Kirsten Holm
Pleasant Ridge

CPS can save by cutting duplication

Regarding the article "Steger to lead study of city school finances" (Aug. 31): If Cincinnati Public Schools is serious about saving money, I'd like to offer my own plan to accomplish that goal. Stop duplicating services. We have in our high school system three schools that have separate administrations on each campus. Three principals, assistant principals, lead secretaries, treasurers, office staff and a lack of cooperation between schools. Just to have one principal for each campus as opposed to three would save the district $160,000. And that's just the principals. Multiply that times the number of schools with multiple administrations on each campus, and the savings could approach $640,000.

Alan Coleman
Westwood

School board must work for children

Peter Bronson's column "Latest grades of city schools fail to impress" (Aug. 31) had absolutely nothing to do with the recent report card. It was just another article in which school board members embarrassed the city. As a parent of a Cincinnati Public Schools graduate, a levy supporter and city taxpayer, I am appalled at the lack of leadership.

Stop the name-calling and pouting, and work for the children in CPS. I believe that is why you were elected.

Jerri Clements
Western Hills

Call creditor dogs off soldiers at war

I was disgusted after reading the article "Reservist fights for house" (Aug. 30). Sgt. Yyvette Nicole Curry is serving her country in Iraq, and the ABN AMRO Mortgage Group thanks her by continuing with foreclosure proceedings.

What protections are there for our servicemen and women if the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act does not protect them against this type of aggression by a lender? The act specifically states that if a reserve component is called into active duty that one of the benefits is the delay of all civil court actions, including foreclosure proceedings. With so many reserve forces activated, it is imperative that, not only as individuals but also as organizations, we support the reservists in any way we can. This philosophy appears to have fallen short.

Emily Rueth
Mariemont

How can the people trust Allen anymore?

I cannot believe some of the comments that are thrown at the Mike Allen situation - "I have never seen him do anything wrong" or "It should have no effect on his job."

What?

The man is a public official in a position of trust and very high authority, and he has been lying to everyone for 31/2 years. He makes decisions based on what's right and wrong, yet can't hold himself to the same standard. If he can't be trusted with his own employees, and can't be honest with the woman he claims is the most important in his life, how on earth can we expect him to be either honest or trustworthy with the general public?

The answer is that we can't.

Jeremy Herzberg
Monfort Heights

Republicans, Dems agree Allen must go

Mike Allen has to go. Being a Democrat, my Republican co-workers and I don't agree on too many political issues. But we completely agree that Hamilton County prosecutor Mike Allen should resign. He violated his own policy and carried on a 31/2-year affair with one of his employees, which he has admitted to. He needs to do the right thing for the community and step down.

Brian Emch
Hyde Park