December 5, 2001 --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHARTWELL SCHOOL AND MPUSD ANNOUNCE FORT ORD LAND TRANSFER
With help of MPUSD, Dept of Education deeds former Officer's Club land to Chartwell School
SEASIDE, Calif. -At a press conference held today at the former officer's club property at Fort Ord, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Superintendent Bob Infelise, and President of the Chartwell School Board of Trustees, Bruce Michels, announced the U.S. Department of Education's decision to transfer the deed of the 29-acre property in former Fort Ord from MPUSD to Chartwell School.
Chartwell School, the only school on the Central Coast specializing in education for children with dyslexia and other language-related learning disabilities, has long outgrown its current location at 1490 Imperial Street in Seaside. According to Michels, it has been turning students away due to a long waiting list, lack of space at the current school and a high-demand for its specialized curriculum. The announcement of the new site represents the culmination of an extensive search during the past several years on behalf of the school and the beginning of a tremendous future for the organization and its students.
The Ft. Ord property, not to be confused with Stillwell Hall, was originally deeded to MPUSD by the Department of Education in 1996 with the understanding that it would be used for educational purposes within a three-year time period. MPUSD, due to an unfortunate lack of funding, was unable to develop the land within the time provisions of the agreement. Superintendent Infelise acted as the liaison between the United States Department of Education and Chartwell School to insure the land would serve its intended purpose. "This is a win-win situation for everybody," said Infelise "the transfer allows the land to continue to serve the district, and helps Chartwell School, whose unique mission I support whole-heartedly."
Plans for development of the new Chartwell site are currently being evaluated under the leadership of Chartwell Board Member, Tom deRegt, a general partner of New Cities Development Group, developers of the Pasadera Country Club. Today's announcement is the result of contributions from many of Chartwell's board members, founders and generous donors, as well as the efforts of Bob Infelise, the MPUSD board and staff, many of whom were present at the conference.
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