The governing board of a school district, in its application, may request waiver of the provisions of any section or sections of this code for any compensatory education program if such waiver is necessary to establish and operate a program for low-income children. The need for a waiver shall be explained and justified in the application. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, at the discretion and upon recommendation of the Director of Compensatory Education, with the approval of the State Board of Education, may grant, in whole, or in part, any such request.