This case set in Jacksonville, Florida, covers the years 1998 to 2001. A new nontraditional superintendent, Major General John C. Fryer, focuses on student achievement, but financial needs and Florida law require him to bid contracts for student transportation, upsetting a 50-year pattern of contracting without competitive bidding with more than 100 local contractors, many of whom have only one bus! Though Fryer moves cautiously and slowly, the local bus contractors strongly object. The board, after much delay, is at last forced to make a decision and approves a small number of contracts that include national transportation firms. But then, within just a few days, it rescinds its decision and cancels the contracts. Board President Susan Wilkinson is forced to decide whether to abide by the board's vote to rescind or follow the direction of legal counsel and sign the contracts. (Contains 16 notes.)