AUGUSTA – This fall, thousands of migrant students in Maine will be redirected to educational programs that are available under federal Title I funding until the state can certify the eligibility of participants over the last three years.

State Education Commissioner Susan Gendron briefed members of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee Wednesday on developments with the migrant program, which is under federal investigation for reportedly certifying ineligible students.

She said an ongoing criminal investigation of the state’s Migrant Education Program by a U.S. inspector general has essentially placed educational services for migrant children on hold until the migrant population can be verified.

The state’s migrant education program received $4.1 million in federal funds and served 1,999 migrant families and 9,475 migrant children in Maine between June 1, 2002, and May 14, 2003.

During Wednesday’s budget panel meeting, Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, wondered aloud what would happen to the children of migrant laborers if educational programs were not offered.

“Services will be curtailed until we complete the process [of identifying migrant students],” Gendron said. “Then we will be able to allocate funds to districts for supplemental services.”

“Until then, how will we get them something that’s comparable?” Faircloth asked. “Through no fault of theirs, they’re going to be denied services.”

Gendron plans to encourage school districts to provide math and reading classes to migrant children under federal programs funded by Title I.

“Very often these are youngsters who – because of the many moves that they make – may be having difficulty with reading or mathematics, so [school districts] can use some of their Title I funds and programs to ensure that those children are receiving services,” Gendron said.

The commissioner said her office is preparing a corrective action report for presentation to federal education officials who are continuing their review of the state’s administration of the Migrant Education Program.

Gendron has already told school superintendents with migrant populations that they will receive no further MEP funding for school year 2003-2004.

With the exception of Maine’s blueberry and broccoli harvests, no summer programs will be offered for the children of migrant workers this year and school districts will receive no MEP funding this fall.

The federal investigation was launched last year on the basis of a complaint filed by an unidentified former state employee. The complaint was directed at migrant education services provided by program subcontractor William Dobbins, superintendent of SAD 14 in Danforth, about 35 miles south of Houlton.

Dobbins said the state immediately froze his $731,000 annual contract with the department.

The probe is expected to be completed next month, according to state officials.