factor in producing both good scores and satisfied customers. The "Edmonton Model" is frequently mentioned in text books on economics and school administration policies. It was in the 70s that Michael Strembitsky, Edmonton superintendent of public schools, started implementing site-based management where principals were responsible for developing budgets to respond to the individual needs of their schools. I heard him speak to a trustee group in Vancouver in mid 70s to this effect: "Why should a grocery store manager stock avocadoes in his store if none of the customers wanted them? He is going to stock the vegetables and fruit according to the needs and wants of his customers. Why shouldn't this apply to how principals run their schools?" That was the start of the wide variety of schools now seen in Alberta on top of the already fully paid choices between Catholic and public schools. Strembitsky is now an international consultant in the school turnaround movement with his insights on "Results-Driven Decision Making". A troubling question now arises. How long will Alberta continue to be a leader in school performance and customer satisfaction if school based management is crushed? SBM is usually opposed by teacher unions. The new premier, Alison Redford, deeply beholden to the Alberta Teachers Association members for her successful election, has already succumbed to two cherished ATA "needs" -- $100 million dollar funding to education and reopening of the issue of parental veto of sensitive sex material for their children. In the predictable "shakedown" style of