California Code, Education Code - EDC § 14550

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a local education agency's obligations pursuant to law may not be avoided through participation in a joint powers authority.

(b) A local education agency's financial obligations to the state may not be avoided through participation in a joint powers authority.

(c) A local education agency's participation in a joint powers authority may not relieve the local education agency of any financial obligation or responsibility in such a way as to shift costs or liability to the state unless the state entity undertaking the obligation is a party to the joint powers agreement and expressly agrees in the agreement to undertake the obligation.

(d) A local educational entity retains ultimate responsibility over its obligations in case of default by a joint powers authority in which it participates.