Deal is reached to spare NYC teachers from widespread layoffs

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the city council and the United Federation of Teachers have reached a budget agreement that spares the jobs of 4,100 teachers. Under the agreement, teacher sabbaticals would be postponed for one year and teachers without permanent placements could act as substitutes more often. However, 2,600 teaching positions will be lost to attrition, 600 more than planned. The budget still must be approved by the council. The New York Times