Last modified: Sunday, February 11, 2007 1:07 AM EST A suggestion for North art When a prominent family donated a piece of artwork to North Attleboro High School in 1950, the last thing they probably expected is that it would cause controversy more than half a century later. But that's what happened to "Afghans," the 1932 7- by 10-foot painting by Russian artist Alexandre Iacovleff which for decades graced the auditorium in what was North Attleboro High and is now the Community School. When school officials discovered in recent weeks that the artwork may be worth about $1 million, there's no doubt dollar bills - for the benefit of the town and, specifically, for the schools - flashed before their eyes. Descendants of the donors are also understandably angered by the prospects of selling their gift, thinking that the artwork was meant to be appreciated by North Attleboro students and not as a way for the town to profit. Here's a suggestion that could, perhaps, satisfy both sides. The painting should be auctioned off, perhaps with the stipulation that it go only to a gallery or museum. The proceeds would be used to establish a trust fund, with the interest earned used to educate North Attleboro students in the arts. Limited budgets and demand for accountability in core subjects leaves funding for the arts too frequently on the chopping block. The sale of this work of art would allow North Attleboro students to forever benefit from the generosity of the Thompson family. The trust fund combined with some taxpayer commitment could guarantee that North Attleboro students would learn not only the three R's but they would also learn about and appreciate art, just as the donors wished. There's little doubt that "Afghans" cannot be properly secured and maintained in a 90-year-old school building. In fact, it's a wonder the painting is in remarkably good condition considering all the years it was subject to pre-teen and teen spitballs and other hurled objects. School officials are right: "Afghans" belongs in a museum or gallery. While there is no documentation that there were any strings attached to the donation of the painting, it would be disrespectful of town officials to ignore the family's wishes. Undoubtedly the donors care deeply about the arts and wanted to share that love with their community. The last thing town officials should do is allow any proceeds from the sale of the artwork to be absorbed into the town's general budget. That would be short-sighted and wasteful, a treasure squandered. Another one-time expense - building a ballfield or recreational facilities or part of a new library - would be smarter but would have little to do with the arts. But a trust fund to build a strong arts department for the town's school would be a smart choice that would satisfy all sides.