Politics

Jay Egolf announces run for School Board

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 1, 2018

Jay Egolf, a 1989 Hendersonville High School graduate who has three children in the school system now, announced his candidacy for the Henderson County School Board in November.

"Having three children in Henderson County schools and receiving all 13 years (K-12) of my primary education in Henderson County schools, I'm truly vested in, and dedicated to, serving the students of the Henderson County school system," he said in his campaign announcement. "I have been involved in all areas of our family business since age 13 and have an excellent understanding of gross and expense which translates to tax revenue and capital/other expenditures. Also, working in car dealerships here plus Raleigh and Salt Lake City, I have dealt with negotiations and compromise daily with different types of people; skills absolutely necessary to reach agreements that are beneficial to all parties."

The decision by the School Board and Board of Commissioners to build a new Hendersonville High School instead of renovating the historic Stillwell classroom building and auditorium is not what drove his decision.

"That's what got me interested but I've always been interested in kids and giving them the best chance they can get," he said. "I think there are three things we have to look for if we're going to continue with the Stillwell building. You have to look at safety for the kids," particularly not mixing outsiders with the high school students. "You need parking and you need to find a way to have ongoing funding. If those can be solved I'm all for keeping the Stillwell building."

"What I want to make sure people know is that even though I graduated from Hendersonville High School I'm not running because of Hendersonville High School. I want every child at every high school to have the best opportunity."

An active member of First Baptist Church of Hendersonville, he helps teach the Merge class which has children in grade 1 through 5.

"Henderson County has many school capital improvements plus other associated issues in the very near term and in future years. I would promote communication between the School Board, County Commissioners and all other invested parties to achieve the desired outcomes with expense control," he said. "I believe in a common sense approach. Finally, I am convinced the students in our county school system will make the world a better place and be productive members of society. They're our future teachers, leaders, employers, employees, mothers and fathers. Our school system determines their success and our students deserve the best we can give them!"

His Facebook page is www.facebook.com/JayEgolf4HC/.

He and his family operate Egolf Used Cars and City Tire Service in Hendersonville and Ford and Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealerships in Brevard.

"I'm dealing with the public all the time every day," he said. "That gives me the communications skills, the ability to find a way to get answers to problems and negotiate. People don't work together enough."

Filing opens Feb. 12 and runs through Feb. 28. School Board members up for election this year are Colby Coren, Lisa Edwards and Amy Lynn Holt.