Long Island's biggest teachers' union has agreed to pay freezes next year, and will also take temporary pay cuts to save jobs.
The concessions will save 200 jobs, various school sports and music classes, and extend the teacher's contract to 2015 which was to expire in 2012.
Teachers will also take a $900 pay cut this year, which will be given back to them, without interest, once they resign or retire.
"It shows the teachers care about the community, and they care about each other," Joe Hogan, the president of Brentwood's Teachers Association told Newsday.
The $11 million in givebacks by the Brentwood teachers comes as school districts across Long Island are to release budget proposals today. Districts statewide are scrambling to figure out how close budget gaps. Governor Paterson's budget cuts more than $3 million to Brentwood alone.
Brentwood will become the fifth teacher union on Long Island to agree to contract concessions. The school board votes on the new agreement Wednesday.
