At issue in this matter is the requirement in rule 97.7(3) that supplementary weighting for the years after the first year of sharing "shall be conditioned upon the submission of cost information provided in the format prescribed by the department of education as part of the certified annual report documenting cost savings directly attributable to the shared operational functions. The documentation shall be filed no later than September 15 preceding the October 1 on which the second, third, fourth, or fifth year of operational function sharing is included for supplementary weighting." 281?97.7(3)"a" and "b."

The waiver is granted only because the district , early in the process proactively sought timely assistance from the department regarding submitting accurate information in its CAR.