(1) The State Board of Education shall decide all appeals from the decisions of the county superintendents or from the decisions of the state superintendent, as authorized by statute. All matters relating to appeals shall be presented in writing, and the decision of the board shall be final.

(2) The State Board of Education shall adopt procedures for conducting any such appeals as are authorized by statute. Such procedures shall include notification of the time and place of any hearing requested by the appealing party. Any such hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer designated by the State Board of Education. At such hearing, the hearing officer and any person affected by the appeal may conduct reasonable questioning of persons who make relevant factual allegations concerning the appeal. The hearing officer shall require that all persons be sworn before they may offer any testimony at the hearing, and the hearing officer is authorized to administer oaths. Any person so choosing may be represented by counsel at the hearing. A record of the hearing shall be made, which shall consist of a transcript of all testimony received, all documents and other material introduced by any interested person, and such other material as the hearing officer considers relevant, including his own recommendation, which he shall make within a reasonable period of time after the hearing is closed and after he has had an opportunity to review, study and analyze the evidence presented during the hearing. The completed record shall be certified to the State Board of Education, which shall consider only the record in making its decision, and shall not consider any evidence or material which is not included therein. The State Board of Education shall make its written findings and issue its order after reviewing said record.