(a) Employee means any person or persons against whom charges may be filed pursuant to section 3020-a or section 3020-b of the Education Law, or, except where the context indicates a contrary intent, the attorney designated to represent such person or persons in a hearing pursuant to this Part.

(b) Chief school administrator means the district superintendent of schools of the board of cooperative educational services employing a person against whom charges are made; or the superintendent of schools, the chancellor of a city school district in a city with a population of one million or more or his or her designee, or other chief school officer of the school district employing a person against whom charges are made.

(c) Board means the employing trustee, board of trustees, board of education, or board of cooperative educational services.

(d) Clerk means the clerk or secretary of the school district or employing board.

(e) Commissioner means Commissioner of Education.

(f) Association means the American Arbitration Association.

(g) Hearing officer means a single hearing officer selected to conduct a hearing pursuant to section 3020-a or 3020-b of the Education Law.

(h) Communication means any written, electronic or oral notification of any type.

(i) Day means calendar day, unless otherwise prescribed herein.

(j) Party means the board or the employee.