MILWAUKEE -- Homeowners in the city of Milwaukee will pay more for property taxes.

The school board approved a 14.6 percent levy hike early Friday morning, which will take effect in 2009. That comes to about $143 more for a home valued at $150,000.

The board voted 6 to 3 on the increase after meeting for seven hours Thursday night before wrapping up at 2 a.m.

The school superintendent said the district admits this isn't fair to taxpayers and that there's no choice but to increase the tax levy. MPS is losing $18 million in state funding and has to find a place for 1,700 new students.

"This is very tough, there's a broken funding formula and we hope the governor, legislators are calling, we need help fixing this, so we can continue the mission of educating our children," MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos said.

Mayor Tom Barrett and Peter Blewett, the school board president, are pointing fingers at eachother over who's the blame for the tax increase.

Mayor Tom Barrett believes that some well placed changes and a concerted effort to change the state funding structure should’ve came before a tax increase.

"I saw this train coming. I had asked Peter Blewett to help fix the school funding flaw and he didn't want to help on that," Barrett said.

Blewett said the mayor won't take his calls. He thinks the backers of the tax increase think high quality schools come at a higher price.

"I think the people who voted for the budget are saying, 'Lets not let the schools distintigrate, we're going to save them,'" he said.

Despite opposing the increase, one resident said that at least it's helping Milwaukee's youth is what matters.

"If taxpayers could be assured the money is going for the best purpose, then I think taxpayers would be okay, although no one likes to pay taxes," said Adam Beilke, a resident who opposes the increase. "I think $135 for students and the future of Milwaukee, or even $200, is not much. I am willing to pay if it's going to help the students and the city and kids that really need services."

Bob Donovan, Milwaukee's 8th District Alderman, is checking into seceding his district from MPS and joining a different neighboring district. He said he's tired of putting money into a failing system.

"The fact of the matter is, the insanity has to stop. If we can find a better system at a reduced cost, I wouldn't be doing my job if I

Board member Tim Petersons proposed transeferring some of the board’s travel budget to a fund that pays for school field trips.

“We need to prove we’re willing to sacrifice just like everyone else is,” Petersons said.