This study attempted to determine the community power-dynamics affecting operational levies in six Ohio school districts. Three of the levies that were studied passed and three failed. Thirty selected participants were given a focused interview and their reactions were tape recorded and analyzed. Several findings emerged. In the districts that passed levies, the superintendent remained in the background, key active citizens managed the campaign, and the needs of the school were stressed. In the districts with failing levies, superintendents took more of a leading position in the campaign, key citizens did not campaign, and the needs of the schools were not emphasized. Respondents gave realization of need as the key issue on which levy passage rests and maintained that prior consultation of community influentials would help the passage of an operational levy. Implications of the study for community educators are that even though community educators are not likely to hold an influential role in the community power structure, they may mobilize community power resources as backers of community education. (Author/JM)