MADISON, Wis. -- School districts are trying to find a balance between cuts in state funding and paying the bills, but the state budget crunch is ultimately leading to school districts raising taxes for homeowners.

When the state cut aid to schools, districts got the option of raising property taxes to make up the difference. But while they can raise taxes to make up whatever they're losing in state aid, not all districts are.

The Sun Prairie School District said it has plenty going for it -- a number of new schools in a few years and a new high school coming soon, but that it's not immune to budget woes.

"We've got a reduction in state aid. We've got increasing numbers of students and we have the debt the voters approved three years ago to build the new high school," said Tim Culver, Sun Prairie School District administrator.

Sun Prairie was in a similar situation as many Dane County districts. It could have raised the tax levy there to 14.4 percent, but instead it's raising it to 7.7 percent, which is a $142 increase for the average $200,000 home.

"What we're trying to do is balance out that we want the best education possible for kids, but people have to be willing to pay for the education too," said Culver.

The Madison Metropolitan School District could have gone up to 9 percent but made cuts and held the levy to 3.49 percent. That's a $92 increase on a $245,000 home.

The Verona School District maxed out its levy increase at 3.75 percent, which is a $32 increase on a $250,000 home.

The Middleton School District is raising the levy about 6.95 percent rather than about 7.7 percent, at a cost of $258 on an average $300,000 home.

"I think they're being cautious and not wanting to get too extended too soon," said Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance President Todd Berry.

The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance estimated statewide school levies could go up nearly 8 percent this year, but it might be less because districts are trying to limit the tax pain.

"It may be in part out of some recognition that people are hurting, or it could also be that they are looking out forward as far as the state's financial situation and they don't see a better picture out there," said Berry.

For Sun Prairie, limiting taxes will also mean cuts.

"With a 7 percent increase in the levy we're looking at cutting $1.1 million out of Sun Prairie's budget this year between now and June, so we have our work cut out for us," said Culver.

State aid isn't expected to be cut again next year, but it won't be going up either, so districts are going to struggle with the same budget issues for the budget in 2010, WISC-TV reported.