The Boston School Committee selected William J. Leary, a student at the School of Education, as superintendent of Schools yesterday.

Leary, who is 40, is currently director of curriculum for Boston schools.

The 4-1 committee vote followed nomination of Leary by Committeeman Paul Ellison, who lauded him as the ideal candidate.

The one dissenting vote was cast by Committeeman John McDonough, who wanted to retain the present superintendent, William Ohrenberger, in the $45,000 per year post.

Leary, the father of three children, is a native of Dorchester. He was educate in public and parochial schools and graduated from Matignon High School in Cambridge. He holds degrees from Boston College and Boston state College, and will receive Ph.D. degrees this year from Boston University and Harvard.

The decision followed a nationwide search for a successor to Ohrenberger. Eight candidates were interviewed including four on Thursday.