SUQUAMISH — In the words of Suquamish Elementary PTSA Treasurer Beth Johnson, “It was time to up the ante.”

In the past, Suquamish Elementary’s main fund-raiser for the year was its spring dance combined with an auction event. This year, it has decided to separate the events and hold its first-ever auction and dinner this Saturday.

“I’m really excited about taking (the events) up another level,” Johnson, who has worked to organize the event, said. “This is our transition year — hopefully we’ll have a live auction next year.”

The auction-dinner, held from 6-9 p.m. April 24 at the school’s gym, is $20 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Suquamish Elementary Office, Liberty Bay Books and the Kitsap Mall Service Desk.

The decision was made to separate the two events from bench-marking against other schools’ fund-raising, Johnson said.

“We looked around at other schools to see what they do,” she commented. “Until we find another source of bigger funding we just wanted to be able to do this.”

Funds generated at the spring-themed event will go towards funding technology improvements at the school.

For more information, call Johnson at (360) 638-1054.