N.J. Stat. § 18A:28-11
In the case of any such reduction the board of education shall determine the seniority of the persons affected according to such standards and shall notify each such person as to his seniority status, and the board may request the commissioner for an advisory opinion with respect to the applicability of the standards to particular situations, which request shall be referred to a panel consisting of the county superintendent of the county, the secretary of the state board of examiners and an assistant commissioner of education designated by the commissioner and an advisory opinion shall be furnished by said panel. No determination of such panel shall be binding upon the board of education or any other party in interest or upon the commissioner or the state board if any controversy or dispute arises as a result of such determination and an appeal is taken therefrom pursuant to the provisions of this title.
N.J.S. § 18A:28-11