There will soon be six more schools in Brooklyn thanks to additional state funding and help from the city.

The construction of the new schools was initially put on hold due to lack of funds. But on Monday, Governor George Pataki (R-NY) signed a bill that will provide $6.4 billion for school projects citywide. In addition, the city will kick in $13 billion.

Mayor Bloomberg did concede that in the years since he drafted the plan, construction costs have gone up. He says $13 billion won't go as far as it used to. He adds that in addition to the new schools, some of the money will be spent renovating and upgrading existing schools.

Of the six new schools slated for Brooklyn, the most anticipated one is the Sunset Park High School. Residents have been fighting for the school for 37 years. Construction on the school is expected to start this summer and be completed by 2009. Officials say the new school will help overcrowding in other high schools such as Fort Hamilton High School.