DEL MAR: Del Mar Union School District trustees are expected to hire the head of the Hermosa Beach City School District as superintendent this evening, after a six-month search.

Sharon McClain, an educator for more than 30 years, is expected to be hired by trustees at a special board meeting at 5 p.m. at Ashley Falls School, 13030 Ashley Falls Drive in Carmel Valley.

Twenty-one people applied for the Del Mar superintendent position, and the board narrowed the field to six finalists, said Ken Noonan, whose firm, The Cosca Group, conducted the search. The board was eager to hire someone before the start of the school year on Monday.

“I think it's a very good match,” said Noonan, a trustee for the state Board of Education and the former superintendent of the Oceanside Unified School District.

“I hope I can come to Del Mar,” McClain said. “It's a wonderful school district . . . with great teachers and staff.”

The Hermosa Beach district, which enrolls about 1,100 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, is smaller than Del Mar Union, which enrolls about 3,800. Under McClain's leadership, the Hermosa Beach district is one of the top performing districts in the state.