By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The figures are “very preliminary” from Saturday’s 40th annual Auction for Christian Education at Thomas More Prep-Marian, according to Advancement Director Jeff Brull.

“It takes about a month to finalize everything,” he said.

But, at this point, it appears this year’s ACE Auction has topped last year’s record-setting $630,000 raised for the Hays Catholic schools.

“I’m confident we’ve exceeded that this year,” Brull said Monday afternoon. “So far, it looks like we’ve raised $670,000.”

Donations are still coming in for Item No. 60 — money for TMP’s Fourth-Floor Reclamation Project.

“Saturday night’s auction raised $240,00 for the reclamation project, and it will be supplemented with $100,000 from the Leo J. and Albina Dreiling Trust,” Brull said. “And, of course, we’re still accepting donations.”

Last year’s Item No. 60 was installation of an elevator in the school building.

“As of 2 p.m. Friday, the elevator was installed and working perfectly. We were able to use the elevator to take guests at our Friday night pre-party up to the fourth floor so they could see what we’re working on next,” Brull said.

The fourth floor, which suffered water damage in the early 1990s, is currently used for storage.

“Our preliminary plan is to move the school library from the third floor to the fourth floor and also establish an alumni and development center,” Brull said.