HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Vice President JD Vance will be making a stop in Henderson County today (Oct. 19) and to prepare for traffic at the event, Henderson County Public Schools is making a schedule change. Four schools – Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle and North Henderson High – will have an early dismissal at 1:30 pm today. Henderson County Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett made the announcement on the evening of October 18. REACTIONS VARY TO VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE’S PLANNED VISIT TO HENDERSONVILLE “We understand that this is short notice and that an early dismissal may create challenges for some of our families. If you have any issues picking up your child or arranging for early dismissal, please contact your child’s school,” Garrett said at a Henderson County school. Publication of schools on social networks. Vance is scheduled to appear at a campaign event on Chestnut Gap Road at noon. Henderson County schools are preparing for traffic when Vance leaves. According to previous News 13 reporting, a GOP source confirmed to News 13 that Vance will announce his support for Republican candidate Rep. Jennifer Balkcom. She is running against Democrat Jamie Ager for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. This is what prompted the school schedule changes, Garrett said. “As part of the safety and traffic plan for the visit, the Highway Patrol has informed us that Highway 64 and roads in the surrounding area will be closed for a period of time on Monday afternoon,” Garrett said. Garrett said to allow students, school buses, student drivers and families to be away from these areas before these road closures begin, Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle and North Henderson High School will be dismissed early. at 1:30 pm today. “This earlier release will provide time for our buses and school traffic to clear the affected areas before the planned road closures begin,” Garrett said. The Tom and Sue Fazio Family Boys & 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 early school closings. The Club said the staff will be ready at the time of dismissal.
