18A:1-1. As used in this title, unless the context requires another meaning, the following words and phrases shall have the following meaning:

“Academic year” means the period between the time school opens in any school district or under any board of education after the general summer vacation until the next succeeding summer vacation;

“All purpose regional district” shall have the meaning assigned to it in subsection a. of section 18A:13-2;

“Board” means the board of education;

“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Education;

“County superintendent” means the County Superintendent of Schools;

“Department” means the State Department of Education;

“District” means a school district;

“Employee” includes the holder of any position or employment;

“Employment” includes employment in a position;

“Full membership” of any board or body means the number of members of the board or body when all the members’ seats are filled and a “majority of the full membership” of any board or body means a majority of such number;

“Higher education” means that education which is provided by any or all of the public institutions of higher education as herein defined and any or all equivalent private institutions; “Limited purpose regional district” shall have the meaning assigned to it in subsection b. of section 18A:13-2;

“Local school district” means any school district comprising within its territorial boundaries the territory comprised in one or more municipalities, except a regional school district;

“Private school” means a school, under college grade, which does not derive its support entirely or in part from public funds;

“Public institution of higher education” shall have the meaning assigned to it in section 18A:62-1;

“Public school” means a school, under college grade, which derives its support entirely or in part from public funds;

“Public school system” means the system of public schools of the State;

“Residence” means domicile, unless a temporary residence is indicated;

“School nurse” shall mean and include any school nurse, school nurse supervisor, head school nurse, chief school nurse, school nurse coordinator or any other nurse performing school nursing services in the public schools;

“State board” means the State Board of Education;

“Teaching staff member” means a member of the professional staff of any district or regional board of education, or any board of education of a county vocational school, holding office, position or employment of such character that the qualifications, for such office, position or employment, require him to hold a valid and effective standard, provisional or emergency certificate, appropriate to his office, position or employment, issued by the State Board of Examiners and includes a school nurse and a school athletic trainer.

L.1967, c.271; amended 1994, c.48, s.34; 1999, c.87, s.1.