After 36 ballots, the School Committee on Monday selected Drew Echelson as the next superintendent for the Waltham Public Schools.

After 36 ballots, the School Committee on Monday selected Drew Echelson as the next superintendent for the Waltham Public Schools.

Echelson, a Cambridge resident who is currently a network superintendent overseeing 16 urban schools in Boston, was chosen over Waltham High School Principal Gregory DeMeo and Newton North High School Principal Jennifer Price.

Echelson said Tuesday he intends to accept the position.

“I’m really, really excited,” he told the News Tribune, adding he had a nice conversation with Mayor Jeannette McCarthy after the final vote. “She was extremely welcoming and supportive.”

Echelson said he had not yet thought much about negotiating a contact with the district, but expected it to be easy. He said he is likely looking for a two- to three-year contract.

“I’m just really interested in going in to do good work,” Echelson said.

The new superintendent will replace Susan Nicholson, who has announced she will retire at the end of the school year to help raise her grandchild.

The selection essentially came down to a race between DeMeo and Echelson, with only School Committee member Margaret Donnelly supporting Price. The first 32 votes were essentially the same, with School Committee members Stephen Rando, John Graceffa and Teddy Tarallo supporting DeMeo and members John Frassica and Kaytie Dowcett supporting Echelson. At the 33rd ballot, Tarallo switched his vote to Echelson, giving him a 3-2 lead over Demeo. At ballot 36, Donnelly switched her vote to Echelson to give him the required four votes.

Then, the committee unanimously voted to appoint Echelson as the next superintendent, pending a background check.

DeMeo, who was in the crowd for the vote, looked visibly upset as he left the auditorium with supporters.

Before the vote, each member said the decision was a tough choice because they believed they had a strong group of candidates. Graceffa, who favored DeMeo, said the principal could bring stability to the district and avoid forming a new leadership team.

“We don't want to start all over again,” Graceffa said.

Dowcett said she was OK with Echelson or Price as the next superintendent because both had better assessment and accountability skills to assure programs are working properly.

In support of Echelson, Frassica said, “We need the most experienced, educated, most qualified person.”

The search for a new superintendent began earlier this year with an 11-member search committee. The group reviewed 28 resumes and interviewed four candidates. Earlier this month, the School Committee eliminated former Marlborough Public Schools superintendent Anthony Pope after finalist interviews, leaving Echelson, DeMeo and Price.

In addition, the committee did site visits at the trio’s home districts.

Price is also a superintendent finalist in North Andover and was scheduled for an interview in Winchester on Monday night.