It was months ago when, according to our news centre’s sources familiar with the decision, Mrs Skelton, who will turn 70 in May of 2021, and had wanted to stay on until then as agreed by a previous Board, advised the Board of Directors that she is “willing to go now” once they pay her out up to May 2021.

Golden parachute?

The Board agreed to her request and there was no “abrupt departure” as some in the sensational media are now claiming. In addition, according to those familiar with the Board’s decision, the outgoing Director will also be given (besides being paid up until May) a generous cheque of $150,000 as a gift from the Board and a lavish banquet where she will be allowed to provide the invitation list, including overseas guests.

Her last day on the job was reported to be December 31, 2020.

Mrs Skelton will be replaced by the Deputy Director, Mrs Jeanette Scatliffe-Boynes, a Virgin Islander who has been with the Board since 1991. It’s also our understanding that Mrs Skelton had reportedly handpicked the Chief Operating Officer Michelle Todman-Smith to replace her, overlooking two senior officers; Mrs Scatliffe-Boynes and Roy E. Barry, a Deputy Director responsible for the National Health Insurance (NHI).

Many believe former premier Dr D. Orlando Smith, whose National Democratic Party (NDP) Government [2011-2019] was notorious for victimisation of locals, may have been insinuating that Mrs Antoinette Skelton was forced out unfairly.

Crocodile tears?

Former Premier, Dr D. Orlando Smith took to social media on Sunday, January 3, 2021, thanking “Mrs Skelton for your contribution to this very important aspect of our economy.”

Many believe Dr Smith, whose National Democratic Party (NDP) Government [2011-2019] was notorious for the victimisation of locals, may have been insinuating that Mrs Skelton was forced out unfairly.

Dr Smith, who many considered a failed political leader, with his NDP splitting in two mid-way through a second four-year term under his watch, noted that with Mrs Skelton’s leadership “the fund of the Board continued to grow, most recently at 31st December 2020 being recorded at over $744M”.

The Chairman of the Social Security Board is Mr Ian S. Smith, whose term ends in September of this year.

Mixed bag?

However, many of Mrs Skelton’s critics claim that under her tenure, staff morale at the Organisation was low and she did not have a good record while being Chairwoman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), as many local civil servants were displaced during a dark period of NDP victimisation.

Her supporters noted; however, that she has kept the Social Security Board on a path of growth, ensuring the financial viability and profitability of the organisation following the death of the first Director Joshua J. Smith.

Mrs Skelton was the first woman to represent the English Speaking Caribbean on the Bureau of the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

According to the Social Security Webpage, Mrs Skelton holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (with honours).

The Chairman of the Social Security Board is Mr Ian S. Smith, whose term ends in September of this year.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a comment from Mr Smith on Mrs Skelton’s pre-retirement leave and replacement were not successful up to the time of publication.