The board needs to recognize those strengths and then address the weaknesses that have become apparent during recent battles over such things as school bus contracts and school closures. For instance, Fryer must give more than lip service to the fact that he works for the School Board and not the Alliance for World Class Education, a group of business leaders that backs Fryer with money and political muscle. For his part, Fryer denies that assessment, but enough board members believe it that there must be at least some fire where there's so much smoke. As a corollary of that, Fryer must learn to communicate directly and openly with board members and overcome the past failures in that area that lead to the accusations of lying. He must get his staff in order.
Complaints are constant and widespread about the information the staff provides.
If new people are needed, then that must be done. Fryer also must get in tune and in step with the entire Jacksonville community and all of its schools. Fryer's former career as a major general in the Air Force didn't prepare him to have to deal with so many bosses. But that's the life of a superintendent. He must answer to the School Board and to the community he serves.