HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — To prepare for increased traffic ahead of Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to western North Carolina on Monday, Oct. 19, Henderson County Public Schools made a schedule change.

Four schools – Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle and North Henderson High – will have an early dismissal of 1:30 p.m. Henderson County Schools Superintendent Mark Garrett made the announcement on the night of Oct. 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 an issue with picking up your child or making arrangements for the early dismissal, please contact your student’s school,” Garrett said in a Henderson County Schools social media post.

Vance is scheduled to appear at a campaign event on Chestnut Gap Road at noon. Henderson County Schools is preparing for traffic for when Vance departs. According to previous News 13 reporting, a source with the Republican Party 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..

Early voting continues through Oct. 31. Election Day is Nov. 3.

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Garrett said the North Carolina State Highway Patrol informed Henderson County Public Schools on Oct. 18 of Vance’s Oct. 19 visit in that section of Henderson County. This is what prompted the schools’ schedule changes, Garrett said.

“As part of the security and traffic plan for the visit, the Highway Patrol has informed us that Highway 64 and roads in the surrounding area will be shut down for a period of time Monday afternoon,” Garrett said.

Garrett said that to allow students, school buses, student drivers and families to be clear of these areas before these road closures begin, Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle School, and North Henderson High School will dismiss early at 1:30 p.m. 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 from Sugarloaf Elementary, Edneyville Elementary, Apple Valley Middle and North Henderson High following the schools’ early dismissal. The Club said staff will be ready upon dismissal.