The board of school directors in any two or more school districts may, with the approval of the Department of Public Instruction,¹ establish, construct, equip, furnish, and maintain joint elementary public schools, high schools, consolidated schools or any other kind of schools or departments provided for in this act. The cost of establishing, constructing, equipping, furnishing, and maintaining such joint schools or departments, including the cost of transportation of pupils, shall be paid by the several districts establishing the same, in such manner and in such proportion as they may agree upon. No joint school or department shall be established without the approval of the Department of Public Instruction or without receiving the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of school directors in each district establishing the same. The action of the several boards establishing and maintaining such joint schools or departments shall be recorded in full in the minutes of the respective boards.