The several boards of directors of the sub-school districts of cities of the second class shall have the power to purchase lots of ground, to erect, enlarge and repair school buildings thereon, to purchase furniture, apparatus, books, stationery, and fuel, and to pay janitors in their respective districts, and to borrow money and provide for the payment thereof with its interest, and to levy taxes for such purposes, as fully as such power existed and belonged to said boards prior to the passage of the act entitled “An act in relation to cities of the second class, providing for the levy, collection, and disbursement of taxes,” approved March 22, 1877.¹