For residents able to stay awake, Superintendent Morton Sherman unveiled the districts proposed $210.3 million 2012 fiscal year budget in the wee hours of Friday morning.

The multimillion-dollar financial plan, about $14.1 million larger than in FY 2011, will not translate into higher taxes for residents, the superintendent said. The budget included a projected $173.9 million appropriation from the city, up from about $6 million in FY2011. 

The recommended budget features salary step increases for teachers and new full-time employee positions. Teachers likely will pay more for benefits, as rising health costs will be split equally between staff and the district, Sherman said. 

Given the size of the budget, Sherman stressed the need for accountability for administrators. 

[In] terms of not just the work on the transformation, but throughout the district, we need to be held accountable, he said. We are all in this together yet we are not all flowing equally and in the same direction at all times districts today and schools are more like a herd of sheep: youre trying to get everyone in the same direction and there are so many pulls and tugs.

Residents will weigh in on the budget at Thursdays public hearing.