STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
www.state.tn.us/humanserv/
CITIZENS PLAZA BUILDING
400 DEADERICK STREET
NASHVILLE, TN 37248
Telephone 615-313-4700
TTY 1-800-270-1349
Fax 615-741...1165
VIRGINIAT. LODGE Commissioner


May 12, 2004
Elder Harold Frelix, Jr.
Priest Lake Bible School
2754 Anderson Rd
Antioch, TN


RE: Illegal Operation of Priest Lake Bible School


Dear Pastor Frelix,


I am writing to notify you that the Department finds the Priest Lake Bible School ("Bible School") to be providing illegal child care. The Department received information about an allegedly illegal child care operation after a fire inspector, in response to the Bible School's request, inspected facility. The Department's investigation of this matter revealed that the Bible School has been in operation for 4 years. It operates full-time, year-round, from 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., serving children ages one (1) year through sixteen (16) years. Currently, sixty-one (61) children are enrolled. T.G.A. §71-3-501 requires that chifd care services of 3 or more hours per day to 5 or more children who are not related to the primary caregiver be licensed by the Department. Specifically, agencies providing care for thirteen (13) or more children must be licensed as a "child care center". Attached please find a copy of this statute for your reference. The only exemptions to these licensure requirements are listed in T.G.A. §71-3-503, a copy of which is also attached for your reference. The Department's investigation has not found that the Bible School is an exempt church-related school that is regulated by the Department of Education - nor has the Department found that the program otherwise meets any of the exemptions set forth in T.C.A.§71-3-503. Accordingly, the Department finds that the Bible School is operating illegally and therefore must cease operations. Please note that any erroneous information about licensing requirements or exemptions which the Bible School mayor may not have received in the past is irrelevant the program must be licensed or found legally exempt under state law. Any program not licensed or legally exempt must cease operations. In consideration of the need to allow parents time to find alternative arrangements the Department will allow the program to continue operating through Thursday, May 13,2004 at 6:00 p.m. Should the program attempt to provide child care services on Friday May 14th the Department will immediately pursue a court-ordered injunction. The Department's authority, and responsibility, to pursue such action IS set forth in T.C.A.§71-3-504, a copy of which is attached for your reference. The Department is happy to assist the Bible School with contacting parents, as well as assist parents with finding alternative child care arrangements. Please contact Licensing Evaluator Ms. Carla Thomas or Licensing Supervisor Ms. Carrie Brown at 532-4021 for assistance. Should you wish to pursue the future licensure of the Bible School you may also contact Ms. Thomas or Ms. Brown for assistance.

Thank you for your.cooperation in this matter.

Regards,

Anne F. Turner
Director of Licensing

CC: Sarah Hogan, Program Supervisor Janice Wilson, Program Supervisor Carrie Brown, Licensing Supervisor Carla Thomas, Licensing Evaluator