Eligible school districts may apply to participate in a cooperative partnership for a period of five years. If additional eligible school districts wish to join the cooperative partnership at a later date, the cooperative partnership shall reapply as a whole. The application shall be reviewed by the superintendent of public instruction for the following:

(1) The granting of waivers from rules and regulations; and

(2) Technical accuracy.

The applicant school districts may not commence the proposed cooperative partnership until the superintendent of public instruction has completed the review of the application: Provided, That for those cooperative programs approved by the superintendent of public instruction pursuant to RCW 28A.03.448 through 28A.03.450 shall be allowed to continue operations until they have had applications reviewed by the superintendent of public instruction.