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Parent activist Cynthia Papermaster has bowed out of the Board of Education race, narrowing the field to six candidates for three open spots on the five-member panel. 

Papermaster declined to discuss the specific reasons for her decision but issued a three-sentence statement on the move. 

“I regret that I am unable to continue my candidacy for school board,” she said. “A number of factors contributed to this decision. I will continue to work to improve the Berkeley public schools and to advocate for parent participation in the education of our children.” 

Papermaster had placed the issue of parent participation at the center of her campaign.  

The six remaining candidates include incumbents Shirley Issel and Terry Doran and challengers Sean Dugar, Derick Miller, Lance Montauk and Nancy Riddle. Incumbent Ted Schultz, who would face re-election in November, decided months ago to retire at the end of his term.