Last modified: Saturday, October 6, 2007 1:09 AM EDT School board to vote on art BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - The fate of a million-dollar Russian masterpiece now lies in the school committee's hands, which must vote on whether to bring the painting back to town. Superintendent Richard Smith said Friday morning that he was anticipating receiving a letter from selectmen asking for the painting's return. After the letter is received, it will be up to the school committee decide what happens next. School committee Chairman David Manoogian, who would be responsible for scheduling a meeting to deliberate on the painting, was not available for comment on Friday. The school committee hoped to sell the Alexandre Iacovleff painting "Afghans," which could been auctioned for at $1.2 million, but selectmen unanimously vetoed the idea. However, selectmen do not have the ability to bring the painting back to town since it was sent to Sotheby's auction house in New York City by the school department. The painting was donated by W. Charles Thompson in 1951 when he personally hung the painting in what is now the Community School. The painting hung there until February when a local resident did some research and discovered that similar Alexandre Iacovleff works were selling for millions of dollars. The painting was spirited off to Sotheby's in New York City where it remains today. The school committee could decide to leave the painting with Sotheby's indefinitely or loan it to a museum instead of bringing it back to town. Smith said he was disappointed with the vote because the sale of the painting would have benefited the district's school children. The school department was proposing that proceeds from the sale be placed in an interest bearing trust fund that would be used for arts and music programs in the town's schools. "I'd like to remind the board of selectmen that our intent was to use the painting in a way that would be beneficial to the children of North Attleboro. I think one or more of them have forgotten that," Smith said. Selectmen unanimously said they would like to see the painting hang in a prominent place in town for residents to enjoy. Smith has already indicated that he will not hang the painting in a school building due to safety and security concerns. Selectman John Rhyno is suggesting hanging the painting in town hall, which has a wall big enough to accommodate the 7-foot-by-10-foot painting in its foyer. "I think there is talk about remodeling town hall. The space needs committee could look at what needs to be done to make a permanent home for it there. People go into town hall to pay tax bills and make inquiries - it would be a good place to hang it for the community to enjoy," Rhyno said. He added that decisions about where the painting should be placed should involve relatives of the Thompson family. "I'd like the family to have a say as to where it's hung. I'd like the family to have a good feeling about donating the painting again. I'll never forget how upset the family was when they saw that the plaque listing who donated the painting had been removed from the frame." Another frequently suggested spot for the painting is the police station because it would have plenty of security there. Questions have been raised about whether the painting would fit through the doors of the building, however. Police Chief Michael Gould Sr. said he wouldn't have a problem with the painting hanging in the police station - but that another location might be more appropriate for making the masterpiece accessible to the public. "If the selectmen decide to put it in the police facility, I wouldn't have a problem with that. The benefit would be that this is a secure facility and it is monitored 24-7," Gould said. "Measurements have been taken and I know how it was taken out of the schools. We could take out a window if we had to - we will find a way to get it in here if that's where the selectmen want to put it." Another possible location suggested would be in a special frame at a new library- but construction on a new building isn't planned to start any time soon. Rhyno said that it doesn't matter where the painting hangs because so many residents of the town want to see it. "It has a lot more meaning now than it ever did before because everyone knows the story behind it. Before, only a few people knew about it - now, if you ask anyone in town about the painting, they'll know what you're talking about," he said.