Last modified: Friday, February 16, 2007 1:17 AM EST North board mum on painting BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - There probably won't be a blank spot on the Community School's auditorium wall if the town moves forward with the sale of a Russian masterpiece that used to hang there. Selectwoman Marjorie Kraskouskas asked that if the painting is sold, a full-size print of Alexandre Iacovleff's painting "Afghans" be created and provided to the town to hang in the artwork's original frame. The painting was donated to the town by Charles Thompson and has hung quietly in the Community School auditorium since 1951. The school committee voted Wednesday to sell the painting, which could be worth more than $1 million, but selectmen also have to approve the sale. However, it does not look like selectmen will weigh in on the painting's fate very soon. Superintendent Rick Smith sent an e-mail to selectmen requesting the board not to discuss the matter until the school department has a chance to work out a contract with an auction house interested in selling the painting. State law requires the school department to advertise seeking auction houses. Once a contract is negotiated, it must be approved by selectmen. Selectmen gave no hint of how they will vote on the matter, but board members said they hope if the painting is ultimately sold that the proceeds will be used to encourage appreciation of the fine arts. "Mr. Thompson was heavily involved in the arts and very active in bringing art exhibits to the area," Selectman William Moffitt said. "I'm hoping between now and the time when a contract is presented to us that we can have a conversation with the school committee and the family on how the proceeds would be handled. "From my point of view, the proceeds should be used exclusively for the fine arts to fund programs like trips to museums, art exhibits and competitions, lectures from visiting artists and scholarships for extraordinary students." Selectmen Chairman John Rhyno asked that a meeting be scheduled with Town Counsel Roger Ferris prior to the contract presentation to discuss the board's role and obligations.