The commissioner may, in his/her discretion, and at any stage of the proceedings, dismiss an appeal if it appears to the commissioner's satisfaction that the appeal is untimely, pursuant to section 275.16 of this Title; that the petition does not set forth a clear and concise statement of the petitioner's claim, or that the appeal has become moot. The provisions of this section shall not apply to appeals before a State review officer of the State Education Department brought pursuant to section 4404 of the Education Law.