Panther Valley School District debated Thursday night but did not reach a decision yet on graduation.

While some board members favored a virtual commencement, others said they couldn’t understand why the graduation ceremony can’t be held off until Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf lifts social distancing practices in Carbon County and transitions into green phases of the reopening plan.

Superintendent Dennis R. Kergick and Junior Senior High School principal Joseph Gunnels responded to concerns about the proposed ceremony plans, and the lack-thereof.

William Mansberry, treasurer of the board, said he did not favor an online commencement and said he would rather wait until state guidelines are lifted so the students can graduate together, as per tradition. In response, Kergick, Gunnels and senior class co-advisor Gina Heintzelman commented on the fact that military students would be left out of those plans, as they won’t be around when the graduation would take place.

In addition to students who will be heading off to the military, Kergick said there would be other obstacles that come with waiting for the state to reopen.

“I have no guarantee as to when this will clear up … so what would I do, wait until September? I don’t think it’s fair to all of the kids,” Kergick said.

Input from students

Mansberry pressed on, asking about the involvement of students and parents in the process of deciding on what the district will do.

“My concern is, how many parents of these graduating seniors were even advised or consulted or had any input in any of this? I want to know why the parents weren’t involved,” Mansberry said.

Gunnels clarified that the people designated to plan the commencement ceremony have heard from students and parents, but their ideas could not be carried out in a safe or legal way. He said that all of the things that were sent to him, he had considered previously. Ideas sent to him included using the Pocono Raceway, as other schools are attempting to do.

“We had to take those things off the table because they weren’t in compliance with the governors orders,” Gunnels said. “I know it’s disappointing, it’s disappointing to everybody. We all know what we want - I think everybody’s heart is in the same place. But it’s about what we have available and what we can do.”

Consequences

When asked by Mansberry to address the claims made by both Kergick and Gunnels, board solicitor Robert Yurchak said that the governor and the Department of Education ruled that there should be a virtual ceremony.

Yurchak also confirmed that the school could lose funding and even get fined if a commencement were to happen outside of legal guidelines.

Board member Irene Genther added, “I haven’t heard anyone talking about exposing kids to danger. The danger is that they or (someone they know) would be harmed with this angry virus that’s out there … also, the state will come down on us with fines that we cannot afford.”

She added, “Talk about the safety of kids. Can you expose them to the potential danger? No. The answer is no … You have the desire and what you should do - well here’s what you should do, and it weighs heavier.”

Gunnels said that Panther Valley has a reputation of its honorable and dignified ceremonies and said that the school would be the last to opt for a virtual ceremony. He said what goes into a virtual ceremony is more time-consuming and difficult than if the school district were to hold a regular commencement.

Possibilities

He said it’s in the best interest of the Panther Valley students to hold an online commencement, but added that a Mauch Chunk picnic or class party could be planned. Gunnels added that the school will do everything it can for students.

As of today, Panther Valley is considering videotaping each student as they walk on stage while a few members of the students’ family are there watching. Gunnels said after each student receives their diploma and awards, they would be asked to turn their tassel so all students would be shown on camera in an 80-grid screen turning their tassels together in sync to symbolize unity.

Heintzelman said the experience would be caught on camera and would most likely be available on DVD. She said it would be priceless for both graduates and their families to have something like that. The school is also in contact with local television stations to discuss televising the event so the surrounding communities can see Panther Valley’s accomplishments, Gunnels said.

“There are some schools that aren’t even allowing family (to see their children graduate) and I think we’re doing everything we can to accommodate everyone’s wishes as best as we can,” Gunnels said. “This is something that is highly coordinated and not easily done.”

According to the School Board Policy Manual, the graduation plans are delegated to the superintendent or designee, which are Kergick, Gunnels, and other delegates such as the co-advisors asked to help plan the ceremony.

Kergick confirmed that nothing has been firmly decided by the board or its graduation planning delegates.

“Nobody had the desire to be placed in this situation … (but) the board members and I were all obligated to take an oath of office (and) I feel that we need to adhere to the oath that we swore,” Kergick said.

Kergick anticipates making a final decision by next week. He said he believes there will be an additional discussion about graduation, and the plans will be spread through social media.

Additional information will also be posted to the district website.