(b) The application shall set forth the following information:

1. (1) a description of the prekindergarten program plan approved by the board of education;
2. (2) a proposed budget and a description of the proposed use of the funds;
3. (3) the participation and contribution of each of the collaborative partners;
4. (4) the local share to be used;
5. (5) a description of any costs associated with the administration of the program;
6. (6) a listing of district and eligible agency sites selected for the universal prekindergarten program, including the projected number of children and other projected program data as requested by the department;

7. (7) a written request for a variance where applicable. The department will consider variance requests for the following:

   1. (i) the 10 percent set aside for collaboration as set forth in Education Law section 3602-e(5)(e):

      1. (a) for a district unable to use the set aside to establish a collaborative arrangement that would meet the requirements of this Subpart because of the unavailability of eligible agencies willing to collaborate, or other factors beyond the control of the school district; or
      2. (b) for a district that had fully implemented a universal prekindergarten program by serving all eligible four-year-olds in the 1998-1999 school year and due to parental choice the 10 percent set aside exceeds the total district aid per kindergarten pupil multiplied by the number of prekindergarten pupils in collaborative programs;
   2. (ii) class size based upon the unique characteristics of the program at the universal prekindergarten site or to promote the inclusion of preschool children with disabilities or children who are homeless;
   3. (iii) for a district that operated a targeted prekindergarten program pursuant to Subpart 151-2 of this Part in the 2006-2007 school year, a variance from any inconsistent provisions of Education Law section 3602-e or this Subpart, in order to operate under the targeted prekindergarten regulations. The amount of funding supporting classrooms to which such variance applies may not exceed the amount of targeted prekindergarten grant funds received by the district for the 2006-2007 school year; and
   4. (iv) for a district that is unable to operate the program during the regular school session because of a lack of available space in both district buildings and eligible agencies, a variance for the district to operate a summer only program pursuant to section 151-1.4(b) of this Subpart; and

8. (8) when two or more school districts submit a joint application, the following additional information must be submitted:

   1. (i) which district will serve as the fiscal agent for the joint grant;
   2. (ii) a partnership agreement that specifies the roles and responsibilities of each school district for the implementation and oversight of the program.