(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), funds may be expended from the county school lease-purchase fund by the applicant school district only when specifically authorized by the board for either direct project costs or reimbursements.
(b) Upon specific authorization by the board, applicant school districts may be reimbursed from the county school lease-purchase fund for expenditures, or commitments therefor, made prior to the approval of a project by the board, subject to all of the following conditions:
(1) The expenditures or commitments were made in accordance with the terms of the approval of a project.
(2) The expenditures or commitments were made not more than four years prior to the approval of a project.
(3) The expenditures or commitments do not include any cost incurred for construction of a project.