Panther Valley board members aren’t content with giving the Class of 2020 an online graduation ceremony.

School board members have formed a committee to look into holding some kind of ceremony that observes social distancing.

“We should get this done for the kids. The kids deserve this,” said school board President Danny Matika.

The board appointed Renee DeMelfi to head the committee. DeMelfi said she’s not against a virtual ceremony, but she believes there should be something more for graduates.

Graduation was originally scheduled for June 5 in the Junior-Senior High School Auditorium. Board members were in favor of moving the ceremony online, but there was backlash in the community.

Last week board members proposed holding graduation after Carbon County moves to the green phase, and restrictions are lifted on groups of more than 25 people. But there are concerns that it would leave out students who are enlisting in the military.

DeMelfi said the debate over whether graduation should be held in-person has been dividing the Panther Valley community.

“I don’t want our senior class to remember their senior year - graduation, ceremony - as a time when administration and families who are friends are terrible to each other,” she said.

DeMelfi said she doesn’t have all the answers, but she wants to work with parents, administrators and board members to make a memorable event.

“That is what we pride ourselves on in the Panther Valley School District - when the chips are down we all work together, so let’s do that,” she said.