With collective bargaining rights limited to wages, Koczela was able to change the teachers benefits package to fill the budget gap. Requiring teachers to contribute 5.8 percent of their salary toward pensions saved $600,000. Changes to their health care plan​​such as a $10 office visit co-pay (up from nothing)​​saved $200,000. Upping the workload from five classes, a study hall, and two prep periods to six classes and two prep periods saved another $200,000. The budget was balanced.