As used in this chapter:

(1) "Participating member" means a district in a cooperative which anticipates making full use of all the services offered by the cooperative and provides its agreed share of local funds required by the superintendent of public instruction. A participating member must be a member of the cooperative for at least ten years.

(2) "Contract member" means a district which contracts to use the services of the cooperative as outlined in the initial agreement for at least three years. At a minimum, contracts for service shall include lubrication, oil and filter changes on a regular basis.

(3) "Applicant district" means the school district in which the proposed interdistrict transportation cooperative facility is to be located or in which the facility proposed for modernization is located. It shall be the responsibility of said applicant district to submit the application for financial plan approval.