The authority for this chapter is RCW 28A.340.060(1) which authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to adopt rules and regulations as are necessary to implement the cooperative partnerships among small school districts program.

The purpose of this chapter is to set forth the policies and procedures to implement the cooperative partnerships among small school districts program set forth in RCW 28A.340.010 through 28A.340.070.

As used in this chapter, "eligible school district" means a school district eligible for funding as a small high school district pursuant to the state Omnibus Appropriations Act in effect when the school districts are approved for participation in a cooperative project.

As used in this chapter, "school year" means the same defined in WAC 392-121-031.

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.

The cooperative partnership application will include the following:

(1) A description of the cooperative project, including the programs, services, and administrative activities to be jointly operated;

(2) The improvements in curriculum offerings and educational opportunities expected to result from the establishment of the cooperative project;

(3) A list of statutory requirements or administrative rules which act as financial disincentives to the establishment and/or would impede the operation of the cooperative project;

(4) The financial impact to the school districts and the state that would result from the waiving of the statutory requirement or administrative rules;

(5) An assessment of community support for the proposed cooperative project, including an assessment of each affected community; and

(6) A plan for evaluating the educational and cost-effectiveness of the proposed cooperative project. The evaluation plan shall include a means of evaluating curriculum offerings and staffing patterns.

The superintendent of public instruction may grant waivers for five years from rules and regulations if they meet the following conditions:

(1) That the rules and regulations have been adopted by the superintendent of public instruction pursuant to express statutory authority;

(2) That waiving the rules will not affect the health, safety, or civil rights of students, parents, or staff; and

(3) That the request for waiver has been expressly stated in the cooperative partnership application.

Each school district participating in cooperative partnership shall submit the following reports:

(1) By September 1 of the third school year of continuous operation, a report on the progress of the cooperative partnership in meeting the objectives set forth in the application pursuant to WAC 392-126-425.

(2) By September 1 of the fifth school year of continuous operation, a report evaluating the success of the cooperative partnership in meeting the objectives set forth in the application submitted pursuant to WAC 392-126-425.

The report submitted pursuant to WAC 392-126-435(2) may include an application for continuation of the cooperative partnership. The contents of this application will conform to the requirements set forth in WAC 392-126-425 and will be subject to review by the superintendent of public instruction set forth in WAC 392-126-420.