(1) All hearing officers appointed in accordance with WAC 106-08-400 shall conduct hearings in the same manner and shall have the same authority as provided in hearings by the board of trustees as set forth in these rules and in chapter 34.05 RCW: Provided, That hearing officers shall only make proposals for decisions.

(2) The proposals for decisions and findings of fact and conclusions of law shall be forthwith served upon the parties and transmitted to the board of trustees, together with a record of the proceeding. Within thirty days of service of such proposal for decisions, any party adversely affected may file exceptions, and thereafter all parties may present written argument to the board of trustees, which shall consider the whole record or such portions as may be cited by the parties, and after such review the board shall announce its decision and final action to be taken.