ACTION ALERT: Sign the Petition
**NOTE FOR SIGNERS: Please direct your communications regarding this Petition solely to Tybee City Officials and refrain from contacting the Chatham-Savannah School Board regarding this matter at this time. Please also note that Change.org funds requests do not go to anyone involved in this petition.
We, the undersigned, support a comprehensive plan for Memorial Park on Tybee Island that includes the Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA).
About our school:
The Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) is the only K-8 school in Georgia certified by the GADOE as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) school. TIMA provides learning opportunities centered on maritime themes and career connections. The school’s location on Tybee provides unique opportunities for hands-on, in-depth learning that is deeply connected with the natural environment of Tybee Island.
All teachers at TIMA are certified in gifted education, ensuring that instruction is tailored to meet the needs of a diverse range of learners, including those who are academically advanced.
TIMA is recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its innovative use of technology, including a 1:1 iPad program for students, promoting both creation and critical skills that match the modern use of information technology.
TIMA was a Georgia Charter School of the Year Innovation Award Finalist in 2019 (one of two schools in Georgia); the Principal of TIMA, Peter Ulrich, was Georgia Charter School Leader of the Year in 2024; Robin Allison, a math teacher at TIMA, was Georgia Charter School Teacher of the Year in 2025.
TIMA fosters a community of dedicated and skilled educators who provide an unrivaled educational experience for its students.
Our community and school currently face several challenges:TIMA is in need of a permanent home so it can move out of its current temporary agreement with Saint Michael Catholic Church, which currently rents the property to the school. There are no suitable alternative locations on Tybee for the school.
Losing our school would undoubtedly lead to a decline in the number of families choosing to live on Tybee, as many are drawn here specifically for its presence.
Families are vital to the sustainability of our island, supporting local businesses, engaging in local sports, events, and volunteer activities, and providing new generations to grow and lead our community.
Tybee also lacks updated, centralized spaces for community gatherings, recreational activities, and cultural events.
While various plans for Memorial Park have been considered, Tybee has yet to carry out the long-awaited improvements needed for residents, students, and visitors to fully enjoy the park and its facilities.
A thoughtfully designed multi-use facility incorporating a school would offer numerous advantages:
Enhanced Educational Opportunities: A new school building could provide TIMA students with a safer, enclosed campus, improved classrooms, updated technology, dedicated spaces for arts and sciences, and improved access to athletic facilities, fostering a richer and more effective learning environment.
Community Hub: The facility could include new and improved spaces for the YMCA, local non-profits, a medical office or pharmacy, an auditorium or meeting spaces, and potentially even an arts studio for community activities, our growing Tybee Ballet, or a pool, creating a central gathering place for residents of all ages.
Increased Efficiency and Convenience: Combining a school with community spaces would streamline activities, making it easier for residents and families to participate in both school events and community programs. This could also lead to more efficient use of resources and shared infrastructure.
Economic Benefits: Such a facility could attract new families to our community, potentially boosting local businesses and increasing property values. Further, the school would provide significant rental income for the city, allowing it to offset the cost of any improvements.
Sustainability: A new, well-designed building can incorporate energy-efficient technologies and sustainable building practices, aligning with our community's environmental values. The ideal facility would respect height variances, preserve green space, and complement the island’s natural character.
Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully petition the City Council of Tybee Island to:
Prioritize the development of a comprehensive plan for a multi-use facility that includes our unique school - TIMA. This plan should involve community input and explore potential locations and designs.
Allocate the necessary resources for the planning, design, and construction of this vital community asset.
Actively seek grants and other funding opportunities to support this project.
We believe that investing in a multi-use facility with a school is an investment in the future of Tybee Island, fostering a stronger, more vibrant, and more connected community for all residents. We urge the City Council and other stakeholders to give this petition their serious consideration and take swift action to make this vision a reality.
Signed,