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In a last-ditch effort to save Wyandanch school services, a senior state lawmaker announced Thursday morning that the financially-strapped district will receive an extra $1 million in discretionary funds from Albany.

"That should take care of a big part of their needs," said State Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), whose legislative district includes Wyandanch. Sweeney is the ranking member from Suffolk County of the Assembly's Democratic majority.

Sweeney added that he had spoken to an aide of Gov. David A. Paterson, to see whether his office might be willing to provide Wyandanch with additional funds as well. The aide, Larry Schwartz, could not be reached immediately for comment.

Earlier this month, Wyandanch issued layoff notices to 25 teachers, after failing in initial attempts to obtain more state money. At that time, the district also warned of potential elimination of sports teams next year, along with cuts in other programs ranging from ROTC to full-day kindergartens.

Following Sweeney's announcement Thursday, local school officials said the extra state money would allow them to restore some jobs and student services, and to reduce an increase in next year's tax levy originally pegged at 6.74 percent. Details still are being worked out, those officials added.

The district's current budget is $54.8 million.

Wyandanch's school board plans to meet at 5 p.m. Thursday to review next year's proposed budget. The board is tentatively scheduled to approve the budget at that time.

Board president Denise Baines praised Sweeney's assistance, saying, "He has helped this district tremendously."

The extra state aid announced Thursday falls short of a comprehensive $4 million package originally proposed by the State Education Department. That funding would have paid off Wyandanch's entire $2.5 million deficit carried over from last year, while also providing money to help renovate the district's aging schools.

Legislators rejected that plan, saying a deepening recession had left them with inadequate funds. However, the lawmakers did provide an extra $400,000 for Wyandanch in the state budget approved April 3.

"It will still be hard for them, but Wyandanch has made substantial progress," said Roger Tilles, who is Long Island's representative to the policymaking state Board of Regents. Tilles, who has pushed for a state financial rescue, also praised Sweeney's contributions.

Wyandanch residents have contended that the state has a special responsibility to help their district, because the state has intervened heavily in the district's management.

Last fall, State Education Department officials warned that district board members and managers could be removed if they didn't move toward closing a budget deficit left by a previous administration. In response, a new board majority cut 20 staff positions.

Wyandanch's former superintendent, Sherman Roberts, now suspended, had argued that he was forced to hire additional teachers and run up a deficit, because he was under state pressure to raise student test scores. Last month, Wyandanch Memorial High School was removed from the state's list of lowest-achieving schools, though it remains on a less severe "needs improvement" list.

Wyandanch enrolls 1,900 students; the district's income and property wealth is about one-third the state average.