(1) Two or more school districts, through a joint resolution designating a lead district, may request funding to conduct a feasibility study for a skill center core or branch campus to the superintendent of public instruction, school facilities and organization. The lead district will be the primary contact for the superintendent of public instruction, and will be responsible for disseminating information to member districts.

(2) In the case of branch campuses, the existing skill center host district and administrative council shall be the applicant or co-applicant.

(3) In addition:

(a) Feasibility study funding requests received before May 1st of each year will be submitted in OSPI's capital budget request.

(b) Two or more school districts, through a joint resolution, may request a waiver to the feasibility study requirement by demonstrating an existing skill center cooperative relationship and addressing the required elements of a feasibility study set forth by the superintendent of public instruction, school facilities and organization. Waivers may be granted by the state superintendent of public instruction.

(c) After legislative approval to fund the feasibility study, the superintendent of public instruction, school facilities and organization, shall issue a grant notification letter to the lead district for the appropriated funding to complete the feasibility study. The grant notification letter shall include the required elements of the study.

(d) The lead district shall return a completed feasibility study to the superintendent of public instruction, school facilities and organization, within one year from the grant notification letter.

(e) Participating school districts wanting to proceed with the creation of a skill center shall submit a written application to the superintendent of public instruction, school facilities and organization which shall include, but not be limited to, the interdistrict cooperative agreement requirements as prescribed in WAC 392-600-020. The application for the interdistrict cooperative shall be received within two school years of submitting the feasibility study.

(f) The superintendent of public instruction shall have final approval of the interdistrict cooperative agreement and the designation for the interdistrict cooperative to become an emerging skill center. The lead district shall receive a letter from the superintendent of public instruction regarding the outcome of the superintendent of public instruction review.