Dillon 2 superintendent Ray Rogers finally stepped down Tuesday as a witness in the school funding trial, ending four days of testimony in which he painted a depressing picture of his rural school system.

Attorneys defending the state in the lawsuit pressed Rogers to acknowledge that Dillon 2 has received extra money and expert help from the Legislature since adoption of the 1998 school-reform law.

"Teacher specialists" have been dispatched to the district on the North Carolina border, along with money to buy extra teaching materials and to pay for teaching clinics, the state's legal team noted in cross-examination of Rogers.

Rogers testified last week that his school system converted a high school gym weight room to accommodate bus drivers in need of a place to wait for assignments. Defense attorneys presented a video showing a new weight room at Dillon High School, along with other amenities for athletes.

Betsy Gray, who is helping defend the state, said the evidence demonstrates that the school system appears to place athletics ahead of academic needs.

Carl Epps, who represents Dillon 2 and seven other districts suing for a greater share of state aid, said the film "was nothing unusual or impressive. It was nothing more than any other school has. It was fairly modest."

Rogers' cross-examination followed testimony by Linda Darling-Hammond, an expert in the field of teacher-training based in California. She talked about how school reform across the country puts pressure on schools to ensure that teachers with strong credentials staff every classroom.

Epps said Darling-Hammond noted South Carolina's statewide education policy tends to shift frequently, leaving educators frustrated because they must make frequent adjustments in curriculums and teaching strategies.

Those scheduled to appear for the eight plaintiff districts during the remainder of this week include: an English-language arts curriculum expert from the S.C. Department of Education, a Clemson University professor specializing in the study of poverty and its effect on society, and state Sen. John Matthews, D-Orangeburg.

To read more about the funding lawsuit, go the Education page on thestate.com.