I'm new here, but that's all I want to know (for now http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif). Was there a bitter disagreement among the cast members, or was it just your average contract dispute?

well, Charlotte has been written down in 6 and 7 to the point where she was basically a guest star next to the 4 girls (even Andy and George had more screen time in season 7) that she felt like Mrs. Garrett didn't need to be guardian of the girls anymore. So she decided to leave and semi-retire.

John is right. I saw an interview with Charlotte Rae basically saying that the girls were grown up and could depend on each other. She felt that Mrs. Garrett was unnecessary after season 7. I guess the producers of the show felt differently since they brought on Cloris Leachman to replace Charlotte Rae.