Less than a year after their proposed charter school was rejected by the Paso Robles school district, a group of parents will propose its charter to the San Miguel Joint Union School Board tonight.

The school, which they are calling the Almond Acres Charter Academy, would be a public, tuition-free kindergarten-through-eighth-grade school that would open next fall.

The school, which would be open to children countywide, would share the Lillian Larsen Elementary campus in San Miguel.

The charter’s supporters, comprised of parents, community members and educators, say the school would feature smaller class sizes and individualized instruction.

The group had initially proposed creating the school in the Paso Robles school district. But the school board unanimously rejected the proposal last February, saying a magnet school would be a better option.

Magnet schools have specialized curricula, but are still controlled by school districts. Charter schools are independent, with their own governing bodies operating under a district’s oversight.

Today’s school board meeting, which will be held at 1601 L Street, will begin at 6:30 p.m. If the board accepts the charter for review, a public hearing will be scheduled for December.