Incidences of staff terminations under clouded circumstances are filled with legal and ethical dilemmas. The benefits of an informal process similar to "plea bargaining" are discussed. There is less emotional and financial toll for the accused employee, and school boards benefit as well in terms of the media, cumbersome disciplinary procedure, and the prospect of forcing third parties to testify. Discussed is the disturbing provision often written into termination agreements that prohibits the school system from disclosing the reasons behind the employee's departure from the district. The New York State School Boards Association policy services department developed a school employees termination policy that allows the school board to enter settlement negotiations on a sure footing. (SI)