I was a parent at The Galloway School for 17 years. My son  started in 1989, graduated in 2001, and my daughter graduated  in 2006. I still remember seeing the Gresham building during my  first visit to the school thinking, “Wow, thats a cool old building.” 

But it wasn’t the reason we decided to enroll our son and make the 40-minute drive one way, five days a week. We choose  Galloway because of the teachers and philosophy of Elliott  Galloway. The Galloway School instilled a love of learning that has continued with them throughout the rest of their education and careers. 

The Galloway School is landlocked! It owns the land it sits on but there is no room for additional buildings. They have always  put the education of the students ahead of facilities. There is no climbing wall, natatorium, soccer field, track or baseball/softball  complex on site. There is only one gymnasium with a small  weight room. They need a new classroom building with safety  and technology upgrades so they can continue to offer students a great education for years to come. 

I have read many articles in the local papers about the Gresham Building being the iconic symbol of Chastain Park. The real symbol of Chastain Park is the bronze sculpture in the front of the building. It shows Elliot Galloway sitting on a log, teaching children. The focus of this issue should be the children, not the building.