The Federal Way School District’s teaching staff is officially on the chopping block.

A resolution passed by the school board on Tuesday gave Superintendent Tom Murphy the option of cutting personnel-related costs.

The measure reads that the “Superintendent is hereby authorized and directed to conduct a review of district programs and operations for the purpose of identifying and proposing to the board a program of personnel-related cost reductions. Such program shall include without limitation, consideration of reductions in certificated teaching staff, classified staff, exempt and non-represented staff.”

Certificated staff is teaching staff, spokeswoman Diane Turner said.

“We are down to people,” school board president Suzanne Smith said. “There’s no getting around it. This is just the first pebble in the pond.”

Board member Tony Moore said what was most disheartening about this is that the state does have the money — if legislators choose to spend it on education.

“We’ve been handed this decision,” Moore said.

The move gives Murphy the option of cutting staff for next year’s budget.

“The resolution gave (Superintendent Tom Murphy) authority to plan for staff reductions,” Turner said, “to let unions know, following guidelines. Teachers need to be notified by May 15.”

There is also the consideration that some teachers are retiring and others may be moved around some.

“It’s going to take a while to understand who may not have a job,” Turner said.

Murphy’s budget proposal is scheduled to be delivered to the school board at its April 28 meeting.