Except as otherwise provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-325, as used in this Part, the following definitions apply:

(1)        “Day” means calendar day. In computing any period of time, Rule 6 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply.

(2)        “Demote” means to reduce the salary of a person who is classified or paid by the State Board of Education as a classroom teacher or as a school administrator during the time of the contract. The word “demote” does not include the following:

a.         A suspension without pay pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-325.5(a).

b.         The elimination or reduction of bonus payments, including merit-based supplements or a systemwide modification in the amount of any applicable local supplement.

c.         Any reduction in salary that results from the elimination of a special duty, such as the duty of an athletic coach or a choral director.

d.         Any reduction of pay as compared to a prior term of contract.

e.         Any reduction in a principal’s salary resulting from a reduction in State funds due to (i) school growth scores, as provided in the Principal Salary Schedule, or (ii) a decline in the average daily membership of the principal’s school.

(3)        “Disciplinary suspension” means a final decision to suspend a teacher or school administrator without pay for no more than 60 days under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-325.5(b).

(4)        “Residential school” means a school operated by the Department of Health and Human Services that provides residential services to students pursuant to Part 3A of Article 3 of Chapter 143B of the N.C. Gen. Stat. or a school operated pursuant to Article 9C of Chapter 115C of the N.C. Gen. Stat..

(5)        “School administrator” means a principal, assistant principal, supervisor, or director whose major function includes the direct or indirect supervision of teaching or any other part of the instructional program, as provided in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-287.1(a)(3).

(6)        “Teacher” means a person meeting each of the following requirements:

a.         Who holds a current professional educator’s license.

b.         Whose major responsibility is to teach or directly supervise teaching or who is classified by the State Board of Education or is paid either as a classroom teacher or instructional support personnel.

c.         Who is employed to fill a full-time, permanent position.

(7)        “Year” means a calendar year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. ?(2013-360, s. 9.6(b); 2017-157, s. 2(h); 2017-189, s. 6(c); 2018-5, s. 8.2(f).)