A blueprint for how Omaha Public Schools would incorporate 25 schools from two other districts is now in writing.

Omaha Public Schools officials say they believe the plan will expand family's options for education and encourage more diversity.

"The important part about this plan is that families have choices," said Carla Noerrlinger, one of the plan's five authors. "Students from all over the city would be able to apply for these magnet schools."

The 180-page plan outlines how to incorporate 25 schools, which are currently part of the Millard and Ralston districts, into OPS.

OPS currently has five magnet school pathways. Two elementary schools in each magnet school pathway feed into a middle school and then one high school.

OPS would establish a sixth pathway, in what is now the Millard district. Ezra Millard would be one of the two elementary magnet schools.

Three others to the south are being considered for the second magnet elementary. Those would feed into Morton Middle School and then Benson High School.

Providing innovative programming is just one goal of the magnet program. The emphasis at Skinner Magnet Center is on visual and performing arts and mathematics.

The second goal of these schools is integration.

"Set aside a certain number of seats and then we fill those seats with magnet children that would bring diversity to that school," said Noerrlinger. "The approach would be similar with these two new schools."

According to OPS, that would give students and their families the option to choose the best educational path.

But for those opposed to the takeover, this is all a moot point.

"There is no transition," said Millard Superintendent Keith Lutz. "All people in authority who've been asked to honor the request have said no. They're misinterpreting the law."