Boston Public "Chapter Forty-five" O.A.D. 10/21/02
A new year arrives at Winslow High and new tensions immediately arise. Brooke is caught in the middle when a group of students plan a walkout because the administration has been unable to handle crucial issues such as toxic mold in the bathrooms and overcrowded classrooms.
Harper and Guber try to talk to the students, but the students see it as another weak attempt to appease them. And when the students stage the walkout, a riot quickly ensues.
Meanwhile, Marla finds a newborn baby in the toilet and discovers that her student Amy had just given birth and left the baby in the bathroom. Amy insists that she wanted her baby and was coming back to get her. Marla rationalizes that Amy was in shock and was coming back immediately. To protect Amy, Marla tells the police that her baby was on the floor. This prompts Danny, who is highly suspicious, to tell Harper and Guber, who are then forced to notify the authorities that evening.
Senate runs into his student, Trina, while taking a drive in Ronnie's car and innocently gives her a ride. A cop pulls him over, recognizes Trina as a prostitute and arrests Senate for soliciting a prostitute. Ronnie bails Senate out, and Senate tries to talk Trina out of being a prostitute. Her stepfather, Carl, appears supportive and even encourages Trina to go to classes again. But Senate soon discovers that Carl has been pimping Trina and Harry has a panic attack. Ronnie tries to get Senate to deal with his post-traumatic stress disorder, but his refusal to do so strains their newfound romance.
Meanwhile, two new, young teachers, ZACH FISCHER and COLIN FLYNN, start at Winslow High. Fischer immediately causes problems with Harper when he fuels the fire of the student protests.
Boston Public "Chapter Forty-six" O.A.D. 10/28/02
Harper and Guber make it their mission to find out who started the school riot. As he interrogates a student, Guber realizes the students don't respect him, especially since he doesn’t use his old intimidation factor.
Meanwhile, a female undercover cop, Melanie, posing as a student, convinces her classmate Ian to get her drugs in exchange for oral sex. But when Guber and Harper discover that another student is actually the drug dealer the cops are looking for, they convince the cops to drop the charges by accusing Melanie of entrapment.
Fischer continues to get himself into trouble when he insults a parent by calling her uneducated. Ronnie becomes upset when Marcie inadvertently suggests that she's old and unhappy with her job. After she goes out drinking with Marylin, Fischer and Flynn, Ronnie realizes she's only unhappy being with Senate, whose constant moodiness is bringing her down.
At the same time, Senate learns that Trina (BP-301) has a son. When she refuses to turn her stepfather in, Senate, who's convinced it's in her best interest, calls the authorities. Social service officials take Trina's son away from her, prompting her to lash out at Senate.
Marla declares war on Hanson, who has filed a grievance with the union, in which he accuses her of being racist.
Boston Public "Chapter Forty-seven" O.A.D. 11/04/02
A union rep interviews both Marla and Hanson about Hanson's charges that Marla is a racist. While the rep doesn't think Marla is racist, she does think Hanson has a point. The rep encourages Harper to have the teachers resolve their issues. Harper implores Marla to convince Hanson to drop the charges, pointing out how the stigma of an accusation could damage her career. Marla “confesses” to Hanson that she's in love with him. But Hanson catches on to her game and declares that he's ready to seduce her.
Flynn is nearly killed while riding with a student, Mark, in a souped-up Acura. Flynn confronts Fischer after Mark tells him that Fischer helped amp up the engine. Fischer insists he only did that to keep the student interested in physics. Mark claims that racing is the only thing he’s good at and he can make $1,000 in bets.
The new superintendent, Elizabeth Vasquez, asks for Harper’s support in suspending Guber for his role in the riot.
Meanwhile, Senate, still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from his stabbing, flees for Florida on an unapproved medical leave. Ronnie agrees to go to a movie with Fischer and tries desperately to fight her attraction (because she’s technically still dating Senate), but they end up kissing.
Lipschultz tries to sell homicide insurance to the teachers, pointing out that their job is dangerous.
Boston Public "Chapter Forty-eight" O.A.D. 11/11/02
Guber discovers that the senior study room has been turned into a room for students to have sex. Henry, a student, has been renting out the room, providing what he considers an alternative to unsafe sex (including clean linens and condoms). Guber convinces Harper to hold a student trial, in which Lipschultz serves as judge. Guber asks Cheyenne, the student who initiated the walk-out, to play the prosecutor, and Marcie argues for the defense.
Despite Ronnie's warnings, Senate allows Trina and her baby to stay at his place to avoid social services. Trina tries to thank Senate the only way she knows how. Senate realizes she needs more help than he can provide; Trina leaves in the middle of the night with the baby. Later, Ronnie finds Harry in his apartment having a nervous breakdown.
Hanson, trying to exact revenge, asks Marla out on a "date." Marla finds out Hanson's true intentions and they have a fistfight. Though neither is ready to admit fault, they come to realize that the other has their students' best interests at heart. They make peace and go out for beer.
Boston Public "Chapter Forty-nine" O.A.D. 11/18/02
While visiting Jamaal in prison, Senate encourages him to keep up with his studies. But Jamaal insists that it's not worth it, especially since he's in prison. Jamaal points out that Senate has changed since the stabbing, which is evidenced when Senate erupts in class, calling his students stupid for not completing their homework.
Harper asks Ronnie about Senate, and she reveals that she called the paramedics after Senate had a nervous breakdown. Harper, pained that he's about to hurt a close friend and the best teacher at Winslow, gives Senate the option of being fired or taking a leave of absence.
After telling Ronnie he loves her, Senate decides to go to Florida with the promise that he will return. Harper asks Ronnie to take over Senate's dungeon class.
Meanwhile, KIMBERLY WOODS, the new 22-year-old social studies teacher, gets off to a rocky start at Winslow High when she accidentally parks in Harper's spot. Her day gets tougher when a group of students ask one by one to be excused from class because of bladder problems. Kimberly quickly catches on to their trickery and stuns them when she announces that the students will have to visit a doctor, and be administered a painful test, to confirm their infection.
At the same time, Marylin encourages her best violin student, Asa, to practice for an upcoming audition, but he explains he can’t because he has to work after school to help support his family. When Marylin asks Asa's father for help, he rebuffs her saying that he needs Asa to focus on making money for the family, not chasing a silly dream. Marylin enlists Guber's help, and Guber offers Asa an after-school job helping him. But when Asa shows up for work, Guber announces that he will be paying Asa to practice not file papers.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty" O.A.D. 11/25/02
Kimberly stirs up emotions in her class when she discusses affirmative action and race. A scuffle breaks out between a racist student, Thomas, and Kenny, an African-American student. Harper threatens to suspend Thomas, but Kimberly pleads with him to allow her to tutor Thomas in an effort to change his views on race. But after Kimberly tells Thomas the tutoring idea was a mistake, Thomas attacks her and draws a suspension from Harper.
Thomas' irate father, Chuck, confronts Harper in his office and spews racial epithets. Chuck threatens Harper with a coat rack and the two engage in a struggle. Chuck hits his head against the wall, leaving him in a coma.
Later, as Guber tries to comfort a regretful Harper, the cops arrive to arrest Harper for assault with a deadly weapon! Meanwhile, the Winslow High teachers are required to sit in on their peers' classes and evaluate their co-workers. While evaluating Fischer, Ronnie (who is still obviously attracted to Fischer) learns that Fischer has acquired a cadaver to conduct an autopsy in class. Things go awry when the cadaver turns up missing.
Also, when Lipschultz is in Flynn's class, Lipschultz demands that Flynn’s students treat Flynn with respect and not call him by his first name. Guber is paranoid that he will fall victim to a student prank.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-one" O.A.D. 12/02/02
While awaiting his trial, Harper is offered a deal in which he would be placed on probation and perform community service in exchange for a guilty plea to assault with a deadly weapon. Harper tells Ronnie, his defense attorney, that he refuses to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit. Ronnie goes to Thomas to see if she can get any more information for Harper. After much prodding, Thomas reveals that his father had a heart attack months before. Ronnie takes the information to the district attorney, and after another autopsy, the coroner declares that Mr. McCain died from an another heart attack.
Meanwhile, back at Winslow, Guber finds himself in an uncomfortable position of being the man in charge. Hanson rescues Joe, a student who is trying to be a daredevil by attempting to jump off a building. Hanson reaches out to the kid, who for the first time is exhibiting behavioral problems. He is shocked to find out that Joe is an alter boy at Hanson's old church. Hanson suspects that Joe's priest, Father Bill, is molesting him. Hanson accuses Father Bill of molesting Joe and orders him to stay away from the boy or c he will reveal that Father Bill molested Hanson as a child.
Enrico, a former student of Lipschultz, mugs him at Doyle's. This leads Lipschultz to question the impact he’s had on all his students through the years. Flynn and Fischer scheme a plan to lift his spirits. Also, Kimberly notes the chemistry between Ronnie and Fischer and asks Ronnie if there is anything going on. When Ronnie denies an attraction, Kimberly hints that she is interested in Fischer.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-two" O.A.D. 12/16/02
It's Christmas time at Winslow High, but Hanson is having an especially tough time. Hanson, still coping with Joe's molestation and his own dark secret, behaves increasingly more erratically at school, raising his voice at students and showing up late for class. To make matters worse, Hanson learns that Joe (BP-307) has attempted suicide.
When Harper demands a reason for his behavior, Hanson explains that he was molested as a child, and with Harper's support, he gathers the courage to go to the police.
Meanwhile, Brooke feels horrible that she will have to leave Harper alone on Christmas while she goes on a ski vacation with her mother and her new boyfriend. Fischer proposes that he and Ronnie give in to their attraction and have sex to test their feelings out. Ronnie agrees, but only if Fischer promises not to fall in love with her because she doesn't want a relationship. The two agree to consummate their relationship but can't seem to find the right time or place to do it.
Marla takes an instant disliking to Kimberly, whose all-too-perfect family and brownie-baking grates on Marla's nerves. Despite Marla's initial impressions, Marla and Kimberly bond at Doyle's while stuck in a snowstorm.
Marylin and Guber bump into each other at dance class, where they discover a mutual interest in and talent for dancing. Lipschultz is uneasy when his son Lester invites him to celebrate Christmas with his family, wondering what Helen would think of him celebrating a Christian holiday.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-three" O.A.D. 1/6/03
When Kimberly spots her truant student Arianna with a group of girls in the school parking lot late one night, she seizes the opportunity to find out where the girl has been. As Kimberly and Arianna talk, a group of gang girls pull up in a car with guns blazing. Arianna pushes Kimberly to the ground to protect her, but one of Arianna's friends is shot and killed.
In the following days, Kimberly implores Arianna to get out of her gang, but Arianna points out that she’s in an impossible situation. Harper tries to convince Kimberly to let it go, but Kimberly is adamant that Arianna could have a bright future, especially as a writer.
Meanwhile, Hanson starts dating Ronnie's beautiful friend Claire, a rich investment banker. The sexual tension is clear from the moment they meet, when Claire is a guest speaker in Hanson’s class. But Ronnie warns Hanson that Claire may just be looking for fun with a more “Cro-Magnon” type.
Ronnie realizes that she has love issues of her own when detailed information about her tryst with Fisher appears on a stall in the boy’s restroom. She rightfully worries that her reputation will be damaged because she’s sleeping with a 22-year-old teacher. On Fisher’s side, Flynn warns his buddy to be careful and not fall in too deep with Ronnie.
Meanwhile, Guber confronts Marcie after seeing her argue with her ex-boyfriend Brian and noting her increased hostility around the office. Marcie blurts out that she's pregnant. In an effort to help Marcie work through her predicament, Guber calls Brian in to try to hold him accountable. After accusing Brian of skirting responsibility, Guber quickly realizes that Brian did not know that Marcie was pregnant until Guber told him.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-four" O.A.D. 1/13/03
Flynn finds himself in a precarious situation when he volunteers to tutor a beautiful, blonde, flirtatious student, Becky, who is the descendent of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Becky makes it obvious to Flynn that she’s out to seduce him. She accuses him of finding her irresistible because he gave her a C on an assignment that should have been an F.
Just when Flynn thinks he can fix the situation, he meets Becky’s mother. She’s smart, rich, sexy, and (supposedly) divorced. She also has the same taste in men as her daughterc and Flynn can’t resist her charms.
Meanwhile, Kimberly catches her socially awkward student, Harlan, bidding in an online auction for a girl’s virginity during class. Kimberly asks for Fischer’s help in talking Harlan out of the bidding. But Harlan, also a virgin, is adamant about winning – he is willing to spend his entire savings of $1400 on an 18th birthday present for himself. It turns out that Lindsay, “the virgin,” needs the money for college and figures that she’ll lose her virginity eventually anyway. Kimberly is cornered into sharing her own first time story with the kids (in front of Fisher) in a last-ditch effort to stop them from having sex.
Meanwhile, Harper is troubled that his new basketball coach, Williams, may have violated rules by recruiting the team’s new star player, Russell. Russell convinced Marylin, his second cousin, to let him list her home address because he claims he was being bullied at his former school. But Marylin later discovers that he was lying and transferred only because he wanted to play for Coach Williams. To further complicate matters, Brooke is dating Russell, and Harper doesn't like him because of his cocky attitude. Also, Marylin has taken a liking to the very attractive Coach Williams and the two begin to date.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-five" O.A.D. 1/20/03
A recruiter from Southern Kentucky University comes to Winslow in hopes of getting Russell to commit to SKU's basketball program. Unbeknownst to Coach Williams, the recruiter, Victor Russo, gives Russell a gold chain, which Russell shows Brooke. Brooke expresses her concern to Coach Williams and unwittingly tells the coach about the chain. Coach Williams reminds Russo that he is the one who controls Russell. And the only way to guarantee that SKU will get Russell is to hire Coach Williams as an assistant coach.
Later, as Russell is about to score the winning shot at a basketball game, Brooke, who assumes that Coach Williams has told Harper about the jewelry, asks a confused Harper whether Russell will lose his scholarship for accepting the chain.
Meanwhile, Ronnie discovers one of her dungeon students, Sri, is being enslaved by a man, Mr. Sam, who took her in when she escaped from Indonesia. Sri tells Ronnie that she has to continue working for Mr. Sam until he forgives her $50,000 debt. Ronnie and Hanson confront Mr. Sam and threaten to call INS if he doesn't release her.
Flynn and Mrs. Emerson continue their torrid affair, but Flynn is shocked when Mrs. Emerson invites him over to dinner with Becky and her husband. Flynn thought Mrs. Emerson was divorced, and during the dinner, indirectly breaks up with her.
Guber attempts to comfort Marcie, who is distraught that she might be transferred out of Winslow because of Winslow's "you show, you go" policy.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-six" O.A.D. 2/03/03
Brooke and Russell break up after Russell accuses Brooke of turning him in to her father. Harper asks Russell if Russo tried to bribe him in to committing to SKU, but Russell is adamant nothing happened. Harper asks Coach Williams for his help, not knowing that the coach has a secret deal with SKU.
Russell is torn when Marylin, Harper and Brooke persuade him to consider playing basketball for Yale to help him obtain a future beyond basketball. Coach Williams, on the other hand, is adamant that SKU is the only school that can help Russell get to the NBA.
Meanwhile, Flynn tries to get confirmation that Becky knows about his affair with her mother. That confirmation comes when Flynn finds an obscenity spray painted on his car. Afraid of losing his job, Flynn adamantly denies the affair to Harper and Guber.
Also, Guber learns that the student he's been mentoring in debate, Doug, has stolen from Guber’s petty cash envelope and is using the money to gamble. Guber searches Doug's locker and finds that Doug is nearly $40,000 in debt.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-seven" O.A.D. 2/10/03
Kimberly becomes extremely nervous after one of her best students, Sheila, reads a poem in class suggesting she is attracted to Kimberly. Kimberly tries to set Sheila straight about student-teacher guidelines after Sheila suggests they have lunch, but Sheila continues her obsession.
She even goes to Kimberly's apartment to give her a gift for helping her get into Princeton. When Kimberly makes it clear their relationship should only be professional, Sheila becomes irrational and begins to threaten Kimberly’s safety. Harper later shows Kimberly photos and drawings of her that were found in Sheila's locker. Harper decides to transfer Kimberly out of Winslow for her own good.
Guber's mother, Miriam, pays an unexpected visit and Guber immediately feels like he's not measuring up to his mother's expectations. To make matters worse, Lipschultz takes an immediate liking to her. Although initially hesitant, Guber gives his approval for Lipschultz to ask Miriam on a date.
Meanwhile, Hanson and Claire continue to date but Hanson once again feels inferior when Claire gives him a fancy watch for Valentine's Day. To avoid any awkwardness since they aren’t technically a couple, Ronnie and Fischer decide not to celebrate Valentine's Day. At school, Guber asks Marylin to look at the minuet he's been composing.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-eight" O.A.D. 2/24/03
Marylin overhears a student, Aisha, singing along to her Walkman and encourages the timid girl to try out for the role of Sandy in Winslow's production of LEADER OF THE PACK.
Marla is hesitant because she favors another student, Estera, as Sandy, but Marylin insists that Aisha possesses a tremendous voice. But Aisha cracks under pressure and performs poorly, eliciting boos from the audience. Marylin convinces Marla to give Aisha a second chance and this time, with some encouragement from Marylin, Aisha wows Marla and wins the part.
Meanwhile, Guber seeks to help a closeted gay student, Trevor, who is being hazed by his swim team members. After Trevor is severely beaten by his teammates, Guber tries to set up a Gay-Straight alliance to allow students to discuss issues. But this only serves to prompt protests from parents. Later on, Guber reveals that he was picked on as a student as well, because of being gay. Students are shocked at the revelation.
Also, child prodigy Riley is having trouble fitting into Winslow, and Harper asks Brooke to befriend her. Riley develops a crush on a student, Ian, but is jealous and crushed when she sees Ian and Brooke, still recovering from her breakup with Russell, flirting.
Boston Public "Chapter Fifty-nine" O.A.D. 3/10/03
Harper faces a tremendous amount of pressure from the media and the mayor after it is revealed that Winslow students achieved among the lowest standardized test scores in the state. Guber catches Dave Fields, an investigator from the mayor's office, snooping around the school. Fields later suggests to Harper that Harper select an assistant principal to help with academic achievement. Harper insists to a doubtful Guber that Marla, tabbed for the position, will not be replacing him and that he will still possess seniority.
Fields catches Ronnie's attention and there is an attraction between the two. Also, Hanson encourages his TV journalism class to put more interesting material on the student network.
When Riley and Becky catch two teachers having sex in a classroom, they want to air the footage. But Hanson cautions them that although it's their decision, this could result in both teachers' lives being ruined.
While rehearsing for her role in LEADER OF THE PACK, Aisha is under a lot of pressure. Her timid performance elicits criticism from Marla, and to make matters worse, Marla asks Ester to learn Aisha's lines just in case Aisha falls out. Aisha's boyfriend resents all the time she has spent on the production and is jealous of the on-stage chemistry between Aisha and her character’s love interest.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty" O.A.D. 3/17/03
Harper faces a tremendous amount of pressure from the media and the mayor after it is revealed that Winslow students achieved among the lowest standardized test scores in the state.
Guber catches Dave Fields, an investigator from the mayor's office, snooping around the school. Fields later suggests to Harper that Harper select an assistant principal to help with academic achievement. Harper insists to a doubtful Guber that Marla, tabbed for the position, will not be replacing him and that he will still possess seniority. Fields catches Ronnie's attention and there is an attraction between the two.
Also, Hanson encourages his TV journalism class to put more interesting material on the student network. When Riley and Becky catch two teachers having sex in a classroom, they want to air the footage. But Hanson cautions them that although it's their decision, this could result in both teachers' lives being ruined.
While rehearsing for her role in LEADER OF THE PACK, Aisha is under a lot of pressure. Her timid performance elicits criticism from Marla, and to make matters worse, Marla asks Ester to learn Aisha's lines just in case Aisha falls out. Aisha's boyfriend resents all the time she has spent on the production and is jealous of the on-stage chemistry between Aisha and her love interest.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty-one" O.A.D. 3/24/03
During rehearsal for LEADER OF THE PACK, Marylin notices that Aisha's face is bruised. Marylin tells Aisha that she knows J.T. has been abusing her, but Aisha insists that she hit her head getting out of the car. Marylin encourages Aisha to confide in her, but Aisha won't talk. Marylin becomes alarmed when she learns that J.T. has proposed to Aisha.
Diving into her new job as assistant principal, Ronnie tells the Winslow teachers that they must prepare their students to take the state's tests in order to pass. But Ronnie soon finds herself as an outsider who loses the trust of her peers.
Hanson is so outraged that he decides to file a petition with his union. Fischer nervously notices that there might be chemistry between Ronnie and Fields. Fields informs Lipschultz that he must take a test to renew his expired teaching certification.
Hanson has mixed emotions when his sister, who claims she has just finished rehab, comes back to take Allison. Guber and Ronnie's relationship becomes strained when Guber refuses to give Ronnie a real office and insists that she occupy a storage room next to his office so he can keep tabs on her.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty-two" O.A.D. 3/31/03
Harper and Ronnie rush to help two of their students, Clayton and Dunphy, who are being held for murder. The boys paid two men a hundred dollars to stage a fight while capturing video footage for their Web site. The fight turns deadly, however, when one of the men is killed after the boys threaten not to pay them unless they make the fight more intense. Ronnie asks one of her former colleagues to help defend the boys.
Meanwhile, Marla and Guber try to figure out how a few of Marla's underachieving students are suddenly acing Marla's test. After setting a trap, they find a little man (a genius) in a student's locker who is helping them cheat with a pocket PC.
Also, Claire is determined to throw the most lavish birthday party for Allison at her parents' house, much to Hanson's chagrin. Joannie is upset that Claire is interfering in her daughter's life and is offering her things that she could never afford.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty-three" O.A.D. 4/7/03
Harper and Guber become jealous of the media attention lavished on Ronnie for Winslow High's rising test scores. Fischer feels further alienated from Ronnie when she tells a reporter she's not dating anyone.
Fields steps up his pursuit of Ronnie and the two almost kiss, but a confused Ronnie pushes Fields away - not before Fischer sees them together.
Marla and Prentice begin their courtship and it's obvious Prentice is having an influence on Marla's outlook on teaching. But Marla finds that she is having trouble with people staring at her when she's with Prentice.
Meanwhile, Riley and Becky try to help William, a socially-challenged classmate, win the student government election for president. But William’s mother pleads with Hanson to stop William from humiliating himself.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty-four" O.A.D. 4/28/03
Aisha's estranged father shows up drunk at Winslow High, trying to see his daughter. Aisha rebuffs him, but Harper insists she visit her father, who is in the hospital dying of liver disease from his alcoholism. He leaves behind a song he wrote and Aisha sings it at her father's funeral.
After finding drugs in Joannie's apartment, Hanson decides to fight for custody of Allison. Fischer finds himself in deep water after punching Fields on school grounds, because Fields has filed a grievance with the school district. When Ronnie smells Fischer using incense, she suspects he has turned to drugs. But instead Fischer has turned to Buddhism for strength.
Marla gives her class mechanical baby dolls to teach them about parenting, When a pregnant Marcie is overwhelmed taking care of her doll, Ronnie encourages her to think about giving up her child for adoption. Ronnie and Guber disagree over who should is best suited to comfort Marcie.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty-five" O.A.D. 5/5/03
After Joannie is busted for buying drugs while Allison is waiting in the car, Hanson pushes ahead in trying to get custody of Allison. Hanson's lawyer tells him that he would have a much stronger case if he were married. Hanson blurts that he and Claire are already engaged, but Claire misinterprets the situation and thinks that Hanson has really proposed. Instead, Hanson views their marriage strictly as a formality to get Allison.
Harper and Ronnie find out that Fields had lied to them and that their budget will still be cut. As a result, Harper and Ronnie compile a list of teachers, including Lipshultz, Flynn, Fischer and Marla that might be let go.
Guber is outraged when the dungeon is listed as another budget casualty, especially since he finally feels like hefs getting through to the kids. He even manages to connect with his students using rap music to teach Romeo & Juliet. But he's pushed over the edge when his new favorite dungeon student, Darryl, is shot during a run-in with the cops. After a fight with Harper about the budget, Guber resigns, saying he needs time off to clear his head.
Also, Marylin and Marla try to protect Aisha from a shady music producer who wants to sign her to a contract.
Boston Public "Chapter Sixty-six" O.A.D. 5/12/03
Marla's student William writes a letter to Whitney Houston asking her to be his prom date. But Marla notices that the acceptance letter William received was a hoax, and she can't bear to tell William the truth. Instead Marla tracks down Whitney to give her William's heartfelt letter, but Whitney brushes her aside after Marla slips her the letter.
As Aisha is about to perform a Whitney Houston song at prom, Whitney suddenly appears and sings "Try It On My Own."
Meanwhile, Hanson learns from Claire's father that Claire's been engaged twice before. Claire explains herself but then concludes that maybe it's best they not get married. Hanson, however, reaffirms his love for her and leaves it up to Claire decide. He's going to be at the courthouse if she wants to get married. Claire shows up at the courthouse where her and Hanson tie the knot.
Also, Harper threatens to sue Guber for breach of contract if he does not rescind his resignation. Realizing that the school and Harper need him to work on the budget crisis, Guber comes back. Harper, Guber and Ronnie put aside their differences to work on the school budget so they can save the teacher's jobs.