PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Providence Teachers Union’s new contract will cost more than $20 million, which will include salary raises and bonuses for teachers.

The Providence Journal reports that the contract was approved on July 30 with criticism from Mayor Jorge Elorza who says it should have been made public before its approval.

Union President Maribeth Calabro says the contract is fair and that beginning the year with ongoing negotiations wouldn’t have been favorable.

Gov. Dan McKee’s office says that failing to agree on a deal would have prolonged expensive litigation and began the school year with uncertainty.