From any funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for the purposes of intervening in low performing schools, the State Superintendent may, in his or her discretion, select school districts and schools in which to directly or indirectly intervene; provided however that such school districts and schools are within the lowest 5% in terms of performance in the State as determined by the State Superintendent. Intervention may take the form of a needs assessment or additional, more intensive intervention, as determined by the State Superintendent. Expenditures from funds appropriated for this purpose may include, without limitation, contracts, grants and travel to support the intervention.