INDIANAPOLIS -- A member of a school board that sparked controversy by preparing to fire its superintendent is taking criticism for participating in a mock graduation ceremony involving students banned from commencement.

Photos that someone posted on the Internet show the Perry Township school board's vice president, Nancy Walsh, distributing diplomas during the mock ceremony, which the students conducted at a school recently.

The four students did graduate, but they were banned from walking in an official commencement ceremony as punishment for vandalism, officials said.

Walsh told 6News' Dan Spehler that she did give diplomas to the students but that she "in no way orchestrated this."

"I was told it would be an honor if I would hand diplomas to these students," Walsh said Thursday.

Gayle Houchin, a member of the seven-member school board, called Walsh's participation in the mock proceedings "a mockery."

"(It was) absolutely uncalled for. She had no authority to do anything like this," Houchin said.

Bob Willsey, a former school board member, said Walsh's participation was outrageous.

"It's grandstanding behavior. I don't think that any school board member should ever act in this way," Willsey said.

Kelly Butler, a parent of a student in the district, said she found the pictures "appalling."

"When I saw them on the Web site, I was just shocked and nauseated (and) disgusted," Butler said.

When asked whether she had permission to participate, Walsh said the district's superintendent and the school's principal weren't available.

"I did leave a message with the principal at 2 o'clock," she said.

When further pressed for an answer to the permission question, she answered, "I had as much permission as any board member ever has to walk into a building."

Walsh said the students knew that she didn't condone the behavior that got them banned from commencement.

"I felt in my individual capacity, if I wanted to say congratulations to students who graduate from Perry Township schools, I make no apology for the fact that I did shake their hands and I said, 'Congratulations,'" Walsh said.

The board's president, Susan Adams, said she thought Walsh "just wanted to represent the board in saying congratulations."

The school board has been no stranger to controversy this year. The panel voted 4-3 in November to place Superintendent Doug Williams on administrative leave, and it voted 4-3 this month to inform him that it will consider firing him in June.

The moves were met with an uproar from many parents and teachers, some of whom are suing the board, alleging that the actions are illegal.

The panel has yet to officially list reasons for its actions against Williams.