(1) To review all projects, plans and specifications for school building construction or reconstruction, and to make recommendations thereon to the General Assembly and the Governor: Provided, however, That approval of the Department of Education shall not be required for projects, plans and specifications for school construction projects for which reimbursement from the Commonwealth is not requested;

(2) To assist school districts in preplanning construction and reconstruction projects, and offer such architectural, engineering and financial advice as will enable the project to comply with the standards prescribed by the State Board of Education;

(3) To hold hearings on any or all projects and subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and compel the production of documents relevant to any investigation;

(4) To act as liaison between the public, local school officials, the General Assembly, and the Governor on school building construction and reconstruction projects;

(5) To receive and investigate complaints from the public or other source concerning any school building construction or reconstruction project;

(6) To conduct investigations on any phase of school building construction or reconstruction projects.

The Department of Education shall employ engineers, architects, financial advisors, and such other staff personnel as may be necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the Department with respect to construction or reconstruction of public school buildings.

No public school building shall be contracted for, constructed, or reconstructed, in any school district of the second, third, or fourth class until the plans and specifications therefor have been approved by the Department of Education.

When ordinary repairs are proposed, such as plastering, painting, replacement of floors, improvement of school grounds, repairing or providing walks, roadways or retaining walls, the cost of which in districts of the second class or in districts of the third and fourth class will not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per building, no approval shall be required. Where any structural change is involved, such as moving or adding doors, windows, partitions, making additions or any excavations, or any work which may affect the safety or health of the pupils, or any work which comes under the jurisdiction of another department of the Commonwealth, approval of the Department of Education shall be required regardless of the cost of such structural change.

No school building shall be purchased by any school district until such purchase shall have been approved by the Department of Education. Such approval shall not be given unless the school building to be purchased and any approved structural changes or renovations meet the standards required to operate public school buildings of a similar age currently in use in the Commonwealth.