Five Ohio school districts, both large and small, participated in a year-long needs assessment study, following activities specified in the Ohio Needs Assessment Guidelines. Following interviews with the needs assessment coordinator at each district, researchers summarized problem areas related to each of 15 activities corresponding to the eight major steps of the Guidelines. Activities were considered problematic if their completion required more time, money or professional expertise than anticipated, or did not conform to procedures specified in the Guidelines. Activities frequently cited as problems were: (1) obtaining a reasonable response rate for the community survey; (2) identifying goals; (3) determining sub-goals; and (4) preparing the survey instrument. Despite the fact that districts had access to consultants, state grants to cover costs, and Guidelines, the needs assessment was difficult, expensive, and time consuming. The importance of setting goals, committing time and money, hiring a consultant, and training a staff member to coordinate needs assessment were recommended. (Author/CP)