Id. Resolution of this appeal requires us to construe statutes and regulations; we apply the same principles of construction in interpreting both. Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783 (2008). When construing statutes and administrative regulations, we first examine the language used, and, where possible, we ascribe the plain and ordinary meanings to words used.

We apply the same principles of construction in interpreting administrative rules. Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783, 942 A.2d 1261 (2008) (when interpreting agency rules, where possible, we ascribe the plain and ordinary meanings to the words used). When a statute's language is plain and unambiguous, we need not look beyond it for further indications of legislative intent.

Resolution of this appeal requires us to construe statutes and regulations relating to school discipline, and we apply the same principles of construction in interpreting both. See Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783 (2008). When construing statutes and administrative regulations, we first examine the language used, and, where possible, we ascribe the plain and ordinary meanings to words used.

Our resolution of Parker's first two arguments negates our need to address her third argument.This case requires us to interpret both state law and administrative rules, and we use the same principles of construction when interpreting both. Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783, 942 A.2d 1261 (2008). “[W]e ascribe the plain and ordinary meanings to words used, looking at the rule or statutory scheme as a whole, and not piecemeal.” Appeal of Morton, 158 N.H. 76, 78, 960 A.2d 332 (2008) (citation omitted).

"We use the same principles of construction in interpreting administrative rules as we use with statutes." Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783, 942 A.2d 1261 (2008). "When construing statutes and administrative regulations, we first examine the language used, and, where possible, we ascribe the plain and ordinary meanings to words used."

Nonetheless, "[w]hile an agency's interpretation of its regulations is to be accorded deference, our deference is not total." Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783, 942 A.2d 1261 (2008). We "examine the agency's interpretation to determine if it is consistent with the language of the regulation and with the purpose which the regulation is intended to serve."

As with any other question of law, we review the trial court's interpretation of the Superior Court Rules de novo.Martinez v. Nicholson, 154 N.H. 397, 398, 911 A.2d 30 (2006). When interpreting a Superior Court Rule, as with a rule of evidence, a statute or administrative rule, we will first look to the plain meaning of the words. Cf.State v. Holmes, 159 N.H. 173, 175, 978 A.2d 909 (2009) (rule of evidence); Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783, 942 A.2d 1261 (2008) (administrative rule); Appeal of Pennichuck Water Works, 160 N.H. 18, 27, 992 A.2d 740 (2010) (statute). We look first to the language of the rule itself, and where possible, we ascribe the plain and ordinary meanings to words used.

We apply the same principles of construction in interpreting administrative rules. Vector Mktg. Corp. v. N.H. Dep't of Revenue Admin., 156 N.H. 781, 783, 942 A.2d 1261 (2008). When a statute's language is plain and unambiguous, we need not look beyond it for further indications of legislative intent.

The principles or rules of statutory construction apply to administrative regulations." 2 Am.Jur.2d. Administrative Law § 245 at 221 (2004); see also Arnold v. County of Nassau, 252 F.3d 599, 602 (2nd Cir. 2001) ("[W]here * * * a decision turns on the meaning of a word in a statute or regulation, the decision is one of law which must be made by the court.") (internal quotation marks omitted); Diamond v. Marcinek, 226 Conn. 737, 629 A.2d 350, 355 n. 8 (1993) ("Our rules of statutory construction apply to administrative regulations.") (internal quotation marks omitted); Vector Marketing Corp. v. New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration, 156 N.H. 781, 942 A.2d 1261, 1263 (2008) ("We use the same principles of construction in interpreting administrative rules as we use with statutes."). By its clear and unambiguous language, Section II(O) of the South Kingstown Subdivision Regulations applied to lot No. 64 when that lot was created in 1992.