Yes she was! The "she" here is Jo Polniaczek. Coming off a mild, inoffensive Season One, we are now faced with a smaller cast, zippier dialogue and new situations. Gone are half the girls from before, now only to be seen here and there. Even Mrs. Garrett is half the person she used to be.
Not that there isn't still some clunky dialogue. When Jo asks Mrs. Garrett how she knew Jo was the new student, Mrs. Garrett responds, "Easy. I've never seen a motorcycle parked in my flower-bed before." Doesn't make a lot of sense. But we still love her. (And doesn't Mrs. G know a lot more about Jo than a school dietician should?)
And for the remaining cast - the best were kept on. It's a good reboot for the series and the more issues-oriented stories of the next few seasons.