Summit Hill resident Omar Syed, 49, the owner of Chilly Time Coffee, announced his candidacy for one of the three at‑large seats on the St. Paul School Board. A former member of the St. Paul Planning Commission and a parent of children in the district, Syed says his goal is to serve as a bridge between the city’s diverse immigrant communities and the school system.

Why he’s running

Syed grew up in a small Somali village without a school and arrived in the United States as a refugee. “I had nothing but public schools, and the St. Paul Public School I graduated from helped me build a business, serve a community, and help my neighbors,” he told the Sahan Journal. He believes the district must be safe and welcoming for every student, especially those from immigrant families who often feel under‑represented.

Focus on immigrant families and ELL students

Syed says many East African families have left the district for charter schools because language barriers and a lack of representation make public schools feel inaccessible. He plans to work with legislators to secure additional funding, hire more teachers, and strengthen support for English‑language learners (ELL). “All the community has to have representation at the school board, no matter what color they are,” he said.

Funding and legislative outreach

With a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot that could direct money to schools, Syed intends to use those resources to bring families back to the district and to expand staffing. He emphasizes the need for strong relationships with city, county and state officials to move the agenda forward, noting that the federal government is not currently providing sufficient assistance.

Endorsements and community backing

Syed is endorsed by the St. Paul Democratic‑Farmer‑Labor Party (DFL), SPFE Local 28 and AFSCME Council 5. He says he will represent all immigrant groups in the district, including Hmong, Ethiopian, Somali and Latino families, and will be a voice for their concerns at board meetings.

What voters can expect

If elected, Syed promises to prioritize representation, improve communication with families whose first language is not English, and advocate for the resources needed to keep St. Paul Public Schools thriving for every child.

Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.