In 1960, the New York City Public School System was decentralized into 32 school districts with limited authority over elementary and junior high schools. Locally elected district community school boards were provided for by State legislation. In this study factors relevant to predicting a candidate's success or failure in the 1975 and 1977 school board elections are examined. Among the variables considered are the amount of education a candidate possesses; his or her ethnic/racial background, and the extent of his or her financial backing. Reasons for conducting the study are outlined. These include the need expressed by the Elections Study Committee for identifying problem areas in future school board elections, and the general scarcity of hard data on school board elections in New York City and elsewhere. The methodology of the study is described. The different significance of the above mentioned variables in the two election years is discussed. Results of a multiple regression analysis, conducted in order to predict outcome, are presented. Educational and financial variables were found to be of greater value than demographic variables in predicting election outcome. Statistical data are presented in table form. (GC)