The $700 million OCMAPS school program includes hundreds of construction, transportation and technology projects - all for the benefit of Oklahoma City's public school students.

Many of the largest construction projects are finished, while work continues at numerous schools throughout Oklahoma City. Over 70 new and renovated schools totaling

$470 million in construction will be completed when the program draws to a close in 2012.

Program budgets for Oklahoma City Public Schools include $52 million for technology projects and $9 million for bus fleet replacement.

OCMAPS also provides funding to the 23 other public school districts that serve Oklahoma City resident students. By the conclusion of the program $153 million in city sales tax will have been expended for over 400 approved projects in the 23 suburban school districts.

The Vote

The OCMAPS program was established on November 13,

2001, when Oklahoma City voters approved a new tax to fund public schools. The temporary

sales tax was collected for seven years with 70 percent disbursed to the Oklahoma City School District and 30 percent to the Suburban School Districts.

Voters also approved a $180 million bond issue to fund additional projects in Oklahoma City's District I-89.

The Structure

The OCMAPS Trust is the governing body in charge of sales tax funds and management of bond projects. The trust is made up of seven members, appointed by the Oklahoma City Council and the Oklahoma City I-89 School District.

MAPS – the Metro Area Projects – served as a model for the creation of the OCMAPS (MAPS for Kids) program. In fact, many of the people who completed MAPS are now working on the OCMAPS program.

The City's OCMAPS Office is responsible for management and control systems, budgets, cash flow, oversight of design and construction contracts, and comprehensive reporting. The office manages all Oklahoma City School District projects and the suburban schools funding program.