New London — School board President Scott Garbini, heartily endorsed by fellow Democrats to return to the Board of Education for a third term, has decided he will not seek re-election.

Garbini made the announcement on Monday and called the decision personal and based on health reasons. Garbini said he will continue to work through the end of his term in December and is fully engaged in the ongoing search for an interim and permanent superintendent.

“I had to make a tough decision for my health,” Garbini said.

His absence from the November ballot leaves just two incumbent board members — Green Party member Mirna Martinez and Democrat Jason Catala.

Garbini said while they have not always seen eye to eye on all issues, Martinez would be his choice for the next board president.

“She has always been engaged. I believe she has great leadership abilities,” Garbini said. “Mirna and I had a great relationship …someone I could always go to bounce ideas off of. I appreciate all the work she and the rest of the board has done.”

Garbini, who is the president of Garbini Education and Career Consulting, said that he believed that his absence from the election will open the door for a new candidate with fresh ideas and perspective, someone who can set an example for and lend a voice to the youth.

Board of Education Vice President Margaret Mary “Peg” Curtin said she was “quite frankly heartbroken,” by Garbini’s announcement.

“We got along well and accomplished a lot of things,” Curtin said. “I will miss him and I’m sure the school district will miss him.”

Curtin said the town committee, during the normal course of business at its last meeting, voted to give Democratic Town Committee President Kevin Cavanagh the power to appoint a replacement should a candidate drop out of the race.

Cavanagh was not immediately available to comment on the replacement pick for what was a slate of seven Democrats.

The school board will meet Tuesday and Wednesday with at least four prospective candidates for the interim superintendent position. Superintendent Manuel Rivera announced recently that he was retiring.

g.smith@theday.com