Neil F. MacGregor, one of three candidates vying for the one contested seat in the school board election, dropped out of the race Thursday, citing "family responsibilities."

MacGregor, 43, an unsuccessful school board candidate in the 1990 primary, said in a prepared statement that "he could not give the race his full attention due to family responsibilities."

The Westminster resident declined to comment further.

AlthoughMacGregor has publicly withdrawn from the race, his name still will appear on the ballot. The deadline for school board candidates to withdraw from the primary was Jan. 2, said a Board of Elections spokeswoman.

The two top vote-getters in the March primary will move onto the Nov. 3 general election. The race for the $1,800-a-year-position is non-partisan.

MacGregor and C. Scott Stone were challenging incumbent Cheryl A. McFalls for the at-large seat. McFalls is seeking her second six-year term.

MacGregor, an independent newspaper contractor, said he will not campaign for the post. He has thrown his support to Stone, citing the shortcomings of current board members, who hesaid "are not aggressive enough about education."

"I would strongly disagree with Mr. MacGregor that I'm not aggressive enough in the way of education," said McFalls, a Manchester resident. "I still havea daughter in the school system.

"What I believe is important forher education is important for all students. I will continue to workto see that Carroll offers the best possible education."

McFalls and Stone said they were surprised by the withdrawal.

"I'm somewhat saddened that family circumstances would interfer with his campaign," said Stone, an engineer at AT & T Network Systems.

The 40-year-old Hampstead resident, though, said he was glad to receive MacGregor's support.

McFalls, 40, said she was disappointed about the lack of interest in serving on the school board.

"I do feel it's important for people to run for political positions," she said. "I think it's especially important for parents to run for the school board."

MacGregor said he intended to continue to "press for better educationand less politics, and bureaucratic waste."