Representatives from the teachers union in Sachem say they have made concessions to keep the budget gap as small as possible ahead of a vote on Tuesday to pierce the tax cap amid a multimillion-dollar deficit.

The Sachem School Board is seeking to hike taxes by 4.87%.

According to the teachers union, their contracts have been restructured. Teachers will be giving back some of their salary for the first three years to save jobs.

Union representatives say that move will save the district about $8 million.

The union president believes it was the right decision for the teachers as well as taxpayers.

“We're here to create the best academic environment possible. I think my staff realized that,” said Sachem Central Teachers’ Association president Phillip Barbera. “They said if the district is in a position where we're going to lose 50, 60, 70 teachers, think about the services lost to the kids.”

To pass, the budget will need approval from a 60% supermajority of voters because it would pierce the tax cap.