BRIEFLY : T.O. COUNCIL PUTS SOAR ON CITY BALLOT.

THOUSAND OAKS - Thousand Oaks joined a host of other east county cities in putting the SOAR initiative on the November ballot.

The City Council voted 4-0, with Mayor Michael Markey absent, to sidestep a lawsuit that could have blocked the measure from making the next election.

Council members said they were honoring the more than 9,000 qualified signatures collected in a petition drive to allow residents to vote on the Save Open-space and Agricultural Resources initiative.

Simi Valley placed a similar measure on the ballot Monday night. The Board of Supervisors placed a countywide initiative on the ballot last week.

- Daily News

Simi school budget riles Wood Ranch 

SIMI VALLEY - The board of education approved the Simi Valley Unified School District's $130 million budget Monday night, over the objections of more than 150 Wood Ranch area residents who wanted more money spent on computers at the new neighborhood elementary school.

The residents pledged to campaign for new board members during the November election as a result, and said they plan to continue lobbying for $110,000 for school computers before the campus opens in fall.

School board members have rejected their plea for funds, saying providing extra computer money would not be fair to other campuses who have relied on grant money or donations to purchase the machines.

- Daily News