The Social Development Commission’s Board of Commissioners met on Thursday evening to discuss the future of the suspended SDC, with board chair Barbara Toles urging the board to keep the agency working.
No specific details were disclosed about how the agency will move forward.
The SDC abruptly suspended its operations two weeks ago, leaving residents with questions on the future of SDC’s services and programs, such as job training, free tax preparation and education services.
The board met at the African American Chamber of Commerce, 1920 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, with an option to join virtually through Zoom. Nearly 20 people attended the meeting either in person or by Zoom.
Here are four key takeaways:
1. Too important not to reopen
The SDC is too important to the community to not reopen, Toles said.
“SDC has been in existence for over 60 years,” she said. “We are an agency that addresses poverty in our community, and there are way too many people living in poverty for us to not have this agency working.”
Toles, the SDC District 2 commissioner and former vice chair, is now serving as the board chair after Elmer Moore Jr. resigned from the position and the board last week.
Toles thanked the commissioners for committing to continue to serve on the board and for supporting her as the new chair. She also thanked the SDC’s attorney, William Sulton, for his work.
2. No answers on paying employees
A member of the public, who attended the meeting via Zoom, asked Toles whether the SDC plans to pay employees who are still owed paychecks. Her question came as the board was starting to vote to move into closed session.
“Right now, we don’t have an answer for you at this time,” Toles said.
3. Employ Milwaukee hosting hiring event
During the public comment section, Frederick Nelson, a representative of Employ Milwaukee, said Employ Milwaukee is hosting a hiring event with over 20 employers from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14 at its facilities at 2342 N. 27th St.
“It is open to the public, but we did want to target SDC employees,” he said.
4. Meeting mostly in closed session
The commissioners spent most of the meeting in closed session, citing a need to discuss legal and personnel matters.
A board can enter closed session and send members of the public out of the room to discuss certain topics, according to Wisconsin state law. These topics can include employment contracts or legal counsel regarding litigation.
Board members did not discuss any new or old business when the meeting returned to open session.
More NNS coverage of the SDC
Leaders, community members weigh in on the SDC’s shutdown
What you need to know about services after SDC’s abrupt closing
What you need to know if you used the SDC to file income taxes
What do you want to know?
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