Panther Valley school board members are considering moving graduation ceremonies back to the district’s football stadium.

Administrators say that an indoor ceremony makes it easier to see and hear graduates, but school board members say it forces families to choose who can attend in person.

“Last year was a great ceremony, but I’ve always been a big proponent of the graduation being at the stadium,” said Keith Krapf, school board member.

During a school board meeting Wednesday night, board members discussed a request from High School Principal Patricia Ebbert to hold graduation in the intermediate school gym for the second straight year. No final decision was made.

Ebbert said the gym layout gave spectators in the bleachers a closer view of the graduates than the stadium. She said it also helps the graduation speakers, who have a better sound system and don’t have to speak over traffic on Route 209.

“Everything seemed to work there,” Ebbert said of the intermediate school.

She said teachers liked the setup because it put them into close proximity to their students one last time.

Krapf said that having graduation in the gym puts a limit on the number of guests that a graduate can invite. The grandstand at the football stadium seats double the number of spectators as the gym.

If only five family members can attend, some could get left out, he said.

“It’s about these kids and their families, no disrespect to the teachers,” Krapf said.

Board member Marco D’Ancona said he favors an outdoor graduation, and the district could always use the intermediate school as a backup in case of bad weather.

Board member Renee DeMelfi said while she likes an outdoor graduation, she would prefer scheduling it indoors to avoid a last-minute change due to weather.

“I don’t want to take that chance,” she said.

Graduation is scheduled for June 7 at 7 p.m. Board President Danny Matika said the location is to be determined.