It is quite clear, based on a report this week by education writer Beverly Creamer, that the transfer of management of state teachers cottages from the state housing department is long overdue.

Many of the cottages, essential for recruitment and retention of teachers in rural areas, are in drastic disrepair. Some are unlivable.

Getting these cottages in shape is a top priority for the state Department of Education. Offering decent, affordable housing to teachers is often the only way they can get staff into the more rural areas, so the stakes are high.

The Housing Community Development Corp., which manages the cottages, understands the need. But in truth, these units are only a small part of the huge public housing stock that the agency must maintain and repair. And the agency must comply with state bidding and procurement procedures, which can substantially slow down the pace of work.

The Department of Education would be in a better position to move more swiftly on routine repair needs. Much of the work formerly handled by the Department of Accounting and General Services will now be taken care of "in house" by the DOE.

While the need to move quickly is clear, it seems that the Department of Education and the Housing Community Development Corp. are not moving with a strong sense of urgency. Officials from both agencies plan to meet within the next month or so to work out what repairs should be completed before the transfer occurs. The official hand-over is not scheduled until 2008, as mandated by the Legislature.

But there is no reason the transfer could not take place sooner — provided it comes with enough funds from the Community Development Corp. to allow the DOE to get the work done.

The DOE also should consider entering into a contract with a private company to repair and manage the facilities. That is precisely how the military here decided to deal with a similar issue. The model is already in place.

These cottages represent more than just another piece of the difficult housing puzzle facing the state. They are critical to the mission of bringing quality education to children in remote areas. That makes it essential that we cut through the bureaucratic red tape and ensure these fixes are made as quickly as possible.