A group of Selma residents protested in front of Selma City School System’s central office, Friday, voicing their displeasure with the Selma City School System’s leadership after the release of a scathing investigation report by the State Department of Education Wednesday.

The report mentioned a failure to report sexual misconduct and racial insensitivity among the staff, among a list of other violations.

The protestors consisted mostly of members of the group, Parents Against Corrupt Officials, which was formed after the contentious firing of former superintendent of education Dr. Donald Jefferson; a termination they vehemently opposed.

PACO member Johnnie Leashore said the investigation reports confirmed his fears. He described the violations found in the report as a cesspool of corruption.

“This reports validates our concerns about our school system,” Leashore said. “We have a moral obligation to protect our children.”

School system officials were given 21 workdays to submit a response to the allegations, but Leashore said he does not believe any response will be appropriate.

“They can’t submit a proper response, because they are the cause of the problem,” Leashore said. “It’s just going to be pen on paper.”

PACO member Dee Henderson said the school system should apply the same standards to the current school system leadership as they did to Jefferson.

Jefferson was terminated for entering and continuing a contract with a student and faculty evaluation company without permission from the school board.

“We have to ensure our children are safe,” Henderson said.

Leashore said the group plans to protest until justice is done.

“We aren’t going away,” Leashore said.

According to a letter the State Superintendent of Education Dr. Thomas Bice, sent to Shirley regarding the report, the investigation revealed “evidence of on noncompliance with requirements, standards, and protocols governing instructional activities, standardized testing, graduation requirements, and other state and federal guidelines.”

The investigation report revealed the school system failed to adequately report and investigate allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, failed to follow and enforce state and local policies regarding graduation requirements and the awarding of academic course credit, failed to follow state polices regarding standardized testing procedures, and has disregard for instructional time, school lunch program requirement, and financial accounting guidelines and other miscellaneous concerns.

In interviewing current and former employees and students, the investigation discovered the sexual misconduct ranged from vulgar language and dance routines to potential criminal activity. The report stated a female teacher allegedly required students to perform sexually charged dance routines for groups of males at school.

The report mentions conduct of racial insensitivity among the staff. A former school administrator referred to Caucasian employees as “white employees” in a demeaning way, according to the report. That administrator has since taken another position within the school system.

The state investigation was announced in June after a call for an independent investigation by Hicks was voted down by a majority of the Selma City School Board. Hicks and board member Dr. Udo Ufomadu voted for the independent investigation, while board members Frank Chestnut Jr., Brenda Obomanu and Dr. Kirit Chapatwala voted against.