Except as provided in subsection b. of N.J.S. 18A:19-4, a claim or demand against a school district shall not be paid by the secretary or treasurer of school moneys, as appropriate, unless the claim or demand is authorized by law and the rules of the board of education of the district, is fully itemized and verified, has been duly audited as required by law, has been presented to, and approved by, the board of education at a meeting thereof, or presented to, and approved by, a person designated by the board of education for that purpose, and the amount required to pay the claim or demand is available for that purpose.
N.J.S. § 18A:19-2