A painting put up for auction on eBay by the St Joseph School District prompted a bid of $5,000 as the auction concluded shortly after 6am Wednesday.  The district will more than triple the money paid for the controversial artwork.

The Web site shows 38 bids.

The high bid was $5,000.  That’s more than three times the amount paid.  It also matches the predictions of several folks in St Joseph.

The painting was included among the school district’s former Chief Operating Officer Rick Hartigan’s new furnishings for his office.  That didn’t sit well with the State Auditor’s Office, which suggested the purchase “appeared unreasonable.”

The description supplied for the auction notes that if you’re the buyer you will get “more than just a Thomas Kinkade painting, you are also purchasing a piece of St. Joseph, MO history.”

“Originally purchased for executive office decoration, the painting was identified in the 2015 Missouri State Audit Report as an item that “appears unreasonable and/or does not appear to benefit the school district.”  Proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to the St. Joseph School District. – Certificate of Limitation & Authenticity along with descriptive owner’s manual included.”

The auction closed shortly after 6am Wednesday. (click here)