Whenever a civil, administrative, criminal or quasi-criminal action or other legal proceeding has been or shall be brought against any person for any act or omission arising out of and in the course of the performance of his duties as a member of a board of education, and in the case of a criminal or quasi-criminal action such action results in final disposition in favor of such person, the board of education shall defray all costs of defending such action, including reasonable counsel fees and expenses, together with costs of appeal, if any, and shall save harmless and protect such person from any financial loss resulting therefrom. Indemnification for exemplary or punitive damages shall not be mandated and shall be governed by the standards and procedures set forth in N.J.S. 59:10-4. Any board of education may arrange for and maintain appropriate insurance to cover all such damages, losses and expenses.
N.J.S. § 18A:12-20