The director of the department of education, in accepting and administering federal funds in accordance with section 256.9, subsection 7, shall upon receiving federal grant moneys under the federal 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, Tit. IV, pt. B of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, as amended, 20 U.S.C. § 7171–7176, designate that a school district be the fiscal agent for an eligible local grant. Whenever possible, the grant applicant school district shall collaborate with a community-based organization, a public or private entity, or a consortium of two or more of such organizations or entities in establishing a community learning center. The department shall give priority to applications for programs serving students determined through research-based methods to be in the greatest need of eligible services. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if federal rules or regulations relating to the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant are adopted that are inconsistent with the provisions of this section, the department of education shall comply with the requirements of the federal rules or regulations.