Attendees
- Dee Dee Simon, Commission Chair
- Lolle Boettcher, Commissioner
- Devy Goldenberg, Commissioner
- Jason Pounds, Commission Secretary
- Leah Strid, (designee) Commissioner of Higher Education
- Dana Humphrey, Commissioner
- Sam Devinki, Commissioner
- Dorian Stuber, Commissioner
- Brad Prager, (designee) President of the University of Missouri School System
Absent
- Tyler Janke, (designee) Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Rabbi Yosef Landa, Commissioner
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 12:05.
Commission Chair Dee Dee Simon introduced new Commissioner Dorian Stuber to the Commission. Dorian detailed his background and experience.
Mission Moment was provided by Sam Devinki. Commissioner Devinki emphasized that Holocaust education is important, but not enough when battling antisemitism. Commissioner Devinki spoke about the need for action and a need for a presence on social media to combat negativity. The Commission discussed various ideas about how to increase visibility.
2. Approval of January Minutes
Motion to approve January minutes was made by Commissioner Dana Humphrey and seconded by Commissioner Sam Devinki.
3. Old Business
a. Commission Technology Update
Chair Dee Dee Simon gave an update on the current situation of our existing technology concerns and needs. She shared that the cost of Phase 2 would be an estimated $15,000 to $18,000. This would allow the technology to integrate with the current form stack. This would also allow the commission to collect and compile data on teacher participation and would help to streamline our technology and forms for professional development seminars.
b. Lest We Forget Missouri School Initiative
Chair Dee Dee Simon gave an update that the landing page is ready for the school exhibits
c. Website Calendar of Events
The Commission was informed that the calendar is not live yet and that any event needing to be added should be emailed to Commissioner Dana Humphrey.
d. KMOS/PBS
There was still no update on viewership statistics. Commissioner Brad Prager and Commissioner Rabbi Landa is to provide at our next meeting.
e. Graduate Credit Hours
The Yahad in Unum Professional Development Seminar is scheduled for May 31, 2026 to June 2, 2026. The Commission hopes to be able to offer educators an option for graduate credit hours through Lindenwood University.
f. 2026 Events Committee
The Commission discussed options for sites of exhibits, including Union Station or Plaza Library. Discussion was also focused on how to best protect the Some Were Neighbors traveling exhibit.
g. Commission Retreat
Although two new Commissioners were appointed, the Commission decided to postpone another retreat until next fiscal year since one was already held this year. Instead, an in-person meeting was chosen for a one-day retreat on September 3.
h. Commission Workshop Update
Commissioner Dana Humphrey provided an update to the Cloud.
i. Budget Justification Report
The Commission was challenged to come up with ways to show our impact.
j. Budget
Chair Dee Dee Simon updated the Commission on the budget, including that the budget contains $30,000 for teacher grants. Commission members discussed how to improve the number of teachers utilizing these grants. Further discussion centered around how to use the surplus currently in the budget. Various speakers and exhibits were discussed but no consensus was reached.
4. New Business
a. Lest We Forget Sponsorship Opportunity
Chair Dee Dee Simon updated the Commission that we missed an opportunity to be featured as a sponsor for this exhibit due to a slow response rate to emails from commissioners,
b. Upcoming April Events
Upcoming events included the installations of the Lest We Forget exhibit in the District in Chesterfield, as well as installations at Houston High School and Smith Cotton High School
c. Reading of names at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum
Chair Dee Dee Simon reported that she represented the Commission at the museum’s Reading of Names event on January 27, 2026.
5. Comments/Announcements
None
6. Adjournment
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Devy Goldenberg and seconded by Sam Devinki.
Minutes prepared by Secretary Jason Pounds
Future Meetings
May 1, 2026
July 3, 2026
September 4, 2026
November 6, 2026