Dr. Nikolai Vitti accepted the Duval County School Board's offer to become the next Superintendent after the departure of Ed Pratt-Dannals.

The School Board voted 5-2 to offer Vitti the job after six hours of interviews Tuesday.

The vote also came after six hours of finalist interviews on Monday and is the conclusion of a national talent search that started in February when the School Board decided to conclude the employment of Pratt-Dannals.

When WOKV asked about Vitti's redeeming qualities, we were told by School Board member Tommy Hazouri, “He’s a person who will listen, learn, and lead."

“I think he’ll take us to the threshold of greatness as far as our academics in Duval County, and he’ll represent all the kids all over Duval County – one hundred twenty five thousand strong."

Vitti beat out Kriner Cash, the outgoing superintendent of Memphis City Schools, and Dale Robbins, retired associated superintendent of Gwinnett County schools in Georgia.

Vitti is 35-years-old and is younger than the other two finalists by at least 20 years.

Board members Betty Burney and Paul Wright voted for Cash, but Burney told WOKV that she’s still happy with the board’s vote for Vitti.

“As a board, once we’ve made the decision, we are all-for-one for Vitti,” Burney said.

Vitti now moves on to negotiate his salary and contract. The Board will have another vote to accept the contract before presenting the offer.

Duval schools spokeswoman Jill Johnson sent WOKV a statement from Vitti:

“I am honored by the School Board’s decision and deeply respect the transparent process by which I was selected. I look forward to moving through the negotiation process so we can begin the collective work of taking our district to a national model of excellence for students.”

This Wednesday morning, listen to Jacksonville’s Morning News from 5 to 9 a.m. to hear the latest on the selection of Dr. Vitti.