The state department of education is hereby continued as a principal department in the executive branch of the state government, and it shall consist of a state board of education, which shall be the head of the department, a commissioner of education, and such divisions, bureaus, branches, committees, officers and employees as are specifically referred to in this title and as may be constituted or employed by virtue of the authority conferred by this title and by any other law.
N.J.S. § 18A:4-1