Let painting stay in Draper

I read with interest the article in the Deseret Morning News concerning the Norman Rockwell painting at Draper Elementary (Dec. 3). Certainly, the painting, along with numerous others located at that school, should remain at its present site.

A number of years ago, I was contacted by Jordan School District officials to share with them my knowledge of that painting and how it ended up in a tiny rural school way out in Utah. I was asked to inspect and appraise the value of all works of original art scattered throughout its schools. The Rockwell painting was appraised at $150,000. That was 14 years ago, according to the article. Undoubtedly the value of the work by Rockwell has increased substantially.

Just how do you divide the Rockwell paintng between the old district and the new one? Cut it in half? The painting and all the others belong to the school kids of Draper Elementary and the Draper community. Let it stay.

Gary C. Swensen

Taylorsville