(1) The final payment to the contractor shall not be made until the construction project has been inspected by the architect or other person designated by the board for that purpose and until he or she has issued a written certificate that the project has been constructed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and approved change orders and until the board, acting on these recommendations, has accepted the project. After acceptance by the board, a duplicate copy of this written certificate, duly certified as having been accepted by the board, as well as other related data on contract costs and total costs per student station, space inventory update, and other related building information must be filed with the department for budget and cost reporting purposes.
(2) Boards shall have full authority and responsibility for all decisions regarding educational and ancillary plant construction contracts, change orders, and payments.