A news conference was held today to announce the transfer of the deed of the former Fort Ord property to the Chartwell School, which is the only school in the area that specializes in education for children with language-related learning disabilities.

Education officials say the school has long outgrown its current location in Seaside and has been forced to turn students away due to a long waiting list, lack of space and a high demand for its specialized curriculum.

The former U.S. Army property was originally deeded to the school district in 1996, with the understanding that it would be used for educational purposes for three years. However, the district was unable to develop the land within the time provisions because of a lack of funding.