Family matters take precedence.

The race for the Newhall School Board has loosened up just a bit, as the lone incumbent has withdrawn his name from consideration.

John Michael McGrath announced Tuesday that he is relinquishing his bid for a second term, citing family matters.

“I decided that it was in the best interest of my family to focus on those issues, rather than add the board to that list of things to do,” McGrath said.

He noted that his decision was prompted by a matter that emerged in the last few months, after he had filed for the election.

While this term is out, McGrath is not ruling out a future run for the board.

“It’s never out of the question,” he said. “I love serving and I wish I could continue to do so [at this time]. It’s a wonderful district. The test scores show that, the music program and the fine arts program speak for themselves, so just to be apart of it in any way, whether it be on the school board or just involved on campus would be a privilege for me.”

The candidate list has now thinned to include Craig Duswalt, Philip Ellis, Jr., K. Scott Miller and Christy Smith. Three seats are up in this election.