PHILADELPHIA – Five Philadelphia educators were arrested Thursday and charged with numerous crimes as part of an ongoing school cheating investigation, though all will continue to collect their pay as their cases move forward.

Cayuga Elementary Principal Evelyn Cortez, and teachers Jennifer Hughes, Lorraine Vicente, Rita Wyszynski and Ary Sloane were indicted by a grand jury based on a 14-page document that included allegations they manipulated student test scores in a variety of ways for years, Philly.com reports.

According to the presentment, Cortez “systematically cheated to increase Cayuga’s test scores by changing student answers, providing test answers to students, and improperly reviewing (state) test questions prior to administering the test,” the news site reports.

MORE NEWS: Know These Before Moving From Cyprus To The UK

Attorneys representing the educators contend they’re innocent, but teachers at the school told investigators the cheating was blatant and that Cortez “would tell students over the loudspeaker to write test answers on scrap paper and not fill out their exam booklets until teachers gave approval. She also used the public address system to tell teachers to walk up and down aisles during tests, helping students with the questions,” according to Philly.com.

School employees also told investigators Cortez would change student answers on the weekends, call teachers to stress their test scores must increase, and would summon students to her office to change wrong answers, the news site reports.

The cheating was obvious in the school’s test scores. In 2008-09, 89 percent of the school’s fourth graders reportedly passed the state math test, and 84 reportedly passed the reading section. Last year, after the state implemented more stringent testing procedures, only 31 percent passed math, and 25 percent passed the reading test, Philly.com reports.

“It truly robs the students of the educational quality and an understanding of the fundamentals of their work, and damages the reputation of the school district,” Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said.

Cayuga parent Natasha Unwin said she knew something wasn’t right at the school.

“They said she passed with flying colors, but she was still having problems,” Unwin told Philly.com.

MORE NEWS: How to prepare for face-to-face classes

Philadelphia officials launched an investigation into test tampering in 2011, spawned in part by reports from the Philadelphia Inquirer about cheating at Cayuga. In total, 50 schools and three charter schools have been investigated, with the Inspector General’s Office handling the most serious complaints at 13 of the city’s schools, the news site reports.

District officials have investigated 19 schools so far. They’ve found cheating at 13 of them, cleared three of wrongdoing, and could not reach a conclusion at three others. They’re still investigating 22 other schools.

All told, 69 current or former Philadelphia school employees have been accused of wrongdoing. Philly.com reports three principals were fired in January, and 12 other active or former school employees have faced other forms of discipline.