HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — To prepare for increased traffic ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Western North Carolina on Monday, October 19, Henderson County Public Schools has modified its schedule.
Four schools – Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle and North Henderson High – will experience an early dismissal at 1:30 p.m. Henderson County Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett made the announcement on the night of October 18.
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“We understand that this is short notice and that an early dismissal may create challenges for some of our families. If you have a problem picking up your child or making arrangements for an early dismissal, please contact your student’s school,” Garrett said in a Henderson County Schools social media post.
Vance is expected to appear at a campaign event on Chestnut Gap Road at noon. Henderson County Schools is preparing for traffic for Vance’s departure. According to a previous News 13 report, a Republican Party source confirmed to News 13 that Vance will announce his support for Republican candidate Jennifer Balkcom. She is running against Democrat Jamie Ager for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.
Early voting continues through October 31. Election day is November 3.
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Garrett said the North Carolina State Highway Patrol notified Henderson County Public Schools on Oct. 18 of Vance’s Oct. 19 visit to that section of Henderson County. That’s what prompted the schools’ schedule changes, Garrett said.
“As part of the safety and traffic plan for the tour, the Highway Patrol has informed us that Highway 64 and surrounding roads will be closed for a period of time Monday afternoon,” Garrett said.
Garrett said to allow students, school buses, student drivers and families to avoid these areas before road closures begin, Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville, Apple Valley Middle School and North Henderson High School will vacate their gates early at 1:30 p.m. today.
“This early release will give our bus and school traffic time to clear impacted areas before scheduled road closures begin,” Garrett said.
The boys of the family Tom and Sue Fazio & The Girls Club of Henderson County announced it will be open and providing transportation for students at Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle and North Henderson High following the schools’ early dismissal. The Club said staff would be prepared in the event of redundancies.
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