Deciding to dismiss a faculty or staff member is one of the most emotionally difficult decisions a School Head must make—a situation that is only exacerbated if the Head is uncertain about the potential legal ramifications of the decision (e.g., "If I decide to let this person go, will we be sued—and will we lose?") as well as the impact of the termination on the faculty culture (e.g., how many faculty members will be wondering, "How could they do this to Jim?" and "Will I be next?"). Prior to reaching that point, however, all efforts should be dedicated toward communicating performance standards and providing active support for those with performance deficiencies to help them meet and exceed these standards. Accordingly, we recommend that schools establish and publish a Corrective Action Policy to address these issues—one that is designed to support your mission, culture, and values while providing significant legal protection to the school.