Cheltenham, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/29/2014 -- Matthew Malinowski has announced the conclusion of his service to the School District of Cheltenham Township. After over four years of completing collaborative budget processes, improved bond ratings, successful union negotiations and strategic financial management, Malinowski moves to a new endeavor as the Business Manager/Board Secretary of the Upper Moreland School District.

From 2010 to today, Malinowski brought savings of over twelve million dollars with no programmatic input. Additionally, during the economic downturn, Malinowski strategically worked to manage staffing levels and property assessments, which impact property taxes, the primary revenue source for the district. Highlights of initiatives completed include the following:

- The district's first long-range fiscal plan which provides comprehensive data and analysis on expenditure and revenue trends while providing easy to understand information on key cost drivers for the district.

- Improved transparency and communication via a customized web portal of information containing audits, budgets, cost savings and presentations on initiatives and projects relates to operational areas of the school district.

- Migration to a self-insurance of medical benefits saving over four million dollars while improving collaboration with bargaining groups and improved wellness opportunities

- Strategic management of debt service to take advantage of interest rates and time issuances to reduce administrative costs and impact to budget

- Realistic labor agreements that represented the district's ability to pay and addressed budgetary impact.

- Electronic processes and procedures to reduce costs, improve service delivery and promote greater understanding of financial indicators

- Communication with all stakeholders via task forces, committee meetings, involvement in external stakeholder groups and improvement of internal communication through personal, individualized meetings with administrators and community members.

During his tenure, from 2011 and for three consecutive years, Malinowski received recognition for excellence in financial reporting for the School District of Cheltenham Township by the Government Finance Officers Association. From 2010 and for four consecutive years, the School District of Cheltenham Township was recognized for excellence in budget development and presentation by the Association of School Business Officials International. These awards, not previously awarded to the district, recognize the collaboration of the board, administration and other stakeholders to improve processes and increase accountability.

Matt looks forward to his new opportunity and reflects on his time at Cheltenham as one of strategic financial management of a challenging economic time for both district and residents through which multiple years of no tax increases and maintenance of programs was a prudent measure for the community.

About Matthew J. Malinowski
Matthew J. Malinowski currently serves as Director of Business Affairs for the Cheltenham Township School District. In Cheltenham he oversees services including food service, transportation, and financial reporting. He holds an M.P.A from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked for over a decade providing financial consulting for both school and government entities.

For information please visit http://www.matthewjmalinowski.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Cheltenham, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/31/2014 -- The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) notified the School District of Cheltenham Township of its award of the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the District's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This is the third year successively that School District of Cheltenham Township has received this award, and the sixth year that Matthew Malinowski, Director of Business Affairs, has received recognition.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the district and its management.

An Award of Financial Reporting Achievement has also been awarded to the District's Director of Business Services, Matthew Malinowski, for his responsibility in preparing the award-winning CAFR.

The award program was established in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that motion the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and to motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit professional association serving nearly 17,400 government finance professionals throughout North America.

About Matthew J. Malinowski:
Matthew J. Malinowski currently serves as Director of Business Affairs for the Cheltenham Township School District. In Cheltenham he oversees services including food service, transportation, and financial reporting. He holds an M.P.A from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked for over a decade providing financial consulting for both school and government entities. For information please visit http://www.matthewjmalinowski.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Cheltenham, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/20/2014 -- Matthew J. Malinowski's new book, The Mystery in School Finances Discovering Answers in Community-Based Budgeting, is now available for purchase online. Rowman Littlefield Publishers & the Association of School Business Officials published the book in June 2014. Malinowski, an active participant in the field of school finance, developed a practical yet timely publication on school finance to relay a modern approach to school budgeting and finance for a variety of stakeholders.

Matthew J. Malinowski received a national award for excellence in financial reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association and excellence in Budgeting by the Association of School Business Officials international. This provided him a basis from which to synthesize school finance jargon and situational analysis in his new book.

Superintendents, Finance Officers, and stakeholders both internal and external all have critical roles in the budget process. The superintendent is similar to a Chief Executive Officer, serving as an intermediary for both the board of directors and the district itself. In order to drive budget practices that reflect the community in question, it is important for the superintendent to create a vision for the school district as a whole and get a well-rounded perspective by encouraging community engagement.

No matter where the school is located, budgets are subject to state procedures and must comply with all regulations in order to get to the development phase and receive final approval. In the book, Malinowski hopes to provide ideas that will help superintendents facilitate community discussion regarding school budgets so that they can streamline their budget process. The book is now available in ebook, paperback and hardcover on both Amazon.com and direct from Rowman Littlefield at https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781475809879

About Matthew J. Malinowski
Matthew J. Malinowski currently serves as Director of Business Affairs for the Cheltenham Township School District. In Cheltenham he oversees services including food service, transportation, and financial reporting. He holds an M.P.A from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked for over a decade providing financial consulting for both school and government entities. For information please visit http://www.matthewjmalinowski.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Cheltenham, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/06/2014 -- Matthew J. Malinowski is proud to announce the pre-release of his new book, The Mystery in School Finances: Discovering Answers in Community-Based Budgeting. The book offers useful tips for any school administrator regarding the budget process, focusing on the various roles of all budget stakeholders including superintendent's, administrators, school boards, community, professional and support staff.

This book provides a straightforward discussion of practices, which school districts utilize to include communities in the budget process. From the assessment of needs, wants and desires, to discussions of the budget as a policy document and year round process, this book provides insight into the methods and process for both professionals in the field and constituents seeking insight into the process. School budgets are not a one size fits all, but a reflection of the community served and a collaboration of a variety of stakeholders.

Malinowski provides proven and benchmarked financial practices to keep school district finances strong even during tough times. As Director of Business for the Cheltenham Township school district he has seen real-world results from the techniques he lays out in the book. Never falling short, Cheltenham's use of these practices always led to positive financial outcomes as evidenced in a strong rating through Standard and Poor's.

In the book, readers will find a comprehensive review of the key elements necessary in the budget development process. Stating that there is no one size fits all approach, Malinowski describes straightforward strategies such as the use of community dialogue in budget development. Whether a new administrator or a community member looking to learn more about how school budgets work, worry no more. Readers now have all the answers at their disposal with Malinowski's guide to success.

Amazon shoppers can now pre-order the book for $35.96. This includes Amazon's pre-order price guarantee, meaning that if the price of the book decreases before the release date, the customer will get the lowest price.

About Matthew J. Malinowski
Matthew J. Malinowski currently serves as Director of Business Affairs for the Cheltenham Township School District. In Cheltenham he oversees services including food service, transportation, and financial reporting. He holds an M.P.A from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked for over a decade providing financial consulting for both school and government entities. For information please visit http://www.matthewjmalinowski.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm