After a summer of uncertainty, 2,000 teachers in Yonkers approved a new four-year contract.

Members of the Yonkers Federation of Teachers gathered at Lincoln High School to cast their ballots on the deal. The new contract will bring raises of about 15 percent over four years. The deal has new teachers paying for 8 percent of their health insurance. Senior teachers will pay 5 percent in two years. Teachers Union President Pat Puleo says under the new contract, health insurance will remain the same for retirees.

Puleo says teachers and the district found the middle ground with the new contract. The new deal goes through to the 2010-2011 school year. Now, a possible strike is averted with school starting in just two days.