California Code, Education Code - EDC § 17025

(a) The board shall not authorize a contract for the construction of any new school, or for the addition to, or reconstruction or alteration of, any existing building, for lease-purchase to any school district unless the applicant district has submitted plans therefor to the Department of General Services and obtained the written approval of the department pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 17280) of Chapter 3 of Part 10.5.

(b) The board, or the self-certifying district, as applicable, shall certify the compliance of a project with Sections 17212, 17212.5, and 17213, with Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, and with any other law that applies to that project, but may require documentation of compliance only as to requirements that are applicable under this chapter. Notwithstanding any other law, for purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code, the applicant district shall be deemed to be the “lead agency” with regard to any project funded for that district under this chapter.