For each county special services school district established in accordance with this act there shall be a board of education consisting of the county superintendent of schools, ex officio, and six persons to be appointed by the director of the board of chosen freeholders with the advice and consent of the remaining members of such board. In any county having a county mental health board, the chairman thereof, or his designee, shall also serve as an ex-officio member of the board of education but shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the board. The appointive members shall serve for terms of 3 years commencing as of July 1 of the calendar year in which they are appointed and to continue until their successors are appointed and qualify, except that of those first appointed two shall be appointed for terms of 1 year, two for 2 years, and two for 3 years.
Vacancies in the board caused by the death, resignation or removal of a member shall be reported forthwith by the secretary of the board to the director of the board of chosen freeholders, who, by the next regular meeting of the board of chosen freeholders and in the manner herein prescribed for making appointments for a full term, shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term.
N.J.S. § 18A:46-35