For the purpose of affording a hearing upon any matter provided in this act to be determined by the state board of education when such determination requires exercise of substantial discretion by the state board of education, the state board of education may appoint one or more hearing officers. Any such hearing officer shall be an officer or employee of the state department of education. Any such appointment shall apply to a particular hearing or to a set or class of hearings as specified by the state board of education in making such appointment. Whenever a hearing officer appointed under the authority of this act hears any matter, such hearing officer shall, after hearing the same, prepare a written report thereon to the state board of education. After receiving such report the state board of education shall determine the matter with or without additional hearing. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require a hearing to be held on any matter determined by the state board of education.