SAN MARCOS - The San Marcos High School parent teacher organization is aiming to raise enough money to provide high tech equipment for teachers at the school.

The organization will host a gala fundraiser called a "A Knight in Tuscany" at the Lake San Marcos Country Club on April 27, which will feature Italian cuisine, music, drinks and live and silent auctions along with a smorgasbord of gourmet desserts.

The goal is to raise a total of $25,000 to purchase electronic smartboards and liquid crystal display projectors for the school.

"It will be our first sit-down dinner. It's going to be very classy," said Karen Taylor, a parent teacher organization member who is helping organize the event.

The evening will feature the Charlie McGhee and the Bozzani Brothers Band and an auction that will include a one-hour sightseeing flight for three people over San Marcos with Mayor Jim Desmond, framed student art, a one-week stay at a condo in Hawaii, skybox seats to a Padres game and spa packages.

The gourmet desserts, from chocolate-dipped strawberries to fruit tarts, also will be auctioned off, organizers said.

Parent Sheila Trebbin said the parent organization decided to focus this year's fundraiser on the entire school to address the growing need for technology equipment, as opposed to raising money only for seniors, as they have in previous years.

Last year, the organization put on a similar gala to raise money for a grad night event for the senior class to offer them a post-graduation party on a Hornblower cruise on San Diego Bay.

The senior class benefited from the fundraiser after suffering some financial setbacks with the opening of Mission Hills High in 2004, which shrank the class size from 631 seniors to 250.

"This time all the kids will benefit, rather than just one grade," said parent Ann Dhillon.

So far, organizers said they have sold about 190 tickets for the event. However, president Jay Petrek said the organization still needs help collecting more auction items.

Tickets cost $45. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will start at 7:30 p.m.

For more information or to donate an auction item, contact Karen Taylor at (760) 295-9751 or visit www.sanmarcoshs.cmarket.com.

- Contact staff writer Brenda Duran at (760) 761-4408 or bduran@nctimes.com.