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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2004

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File Number 1-10031

 


 

NOBEL LEARNING COMMUNITIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   22-2465204

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1615 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA   19382
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(484) 947-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check whether the registrant (1) has filed all report(s) required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicated by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2b of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date 6,837,707 shares of Common Stock outstanding at May 10, 2004.

 



Table of Contents

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

Nobel Learning Communities, Inc.

 

          Page
Number


PART I.

   FINANCIAL INFORMATION     

Item 1.

   Financial Statements     
     Consolidated Balance Sheets, March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and June 30, 2003    2
     Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)    3
     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)    4
     Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the nine months Ended March 31, 2004 (unaudited)    5
     Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements    6

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    15

Item 3

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    23

Item 4

   Controls and Procedures    24

PART II.

   OTHER INFORMATION     

Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    25

 

ii


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Financial Information

 

“Safe Harbor” Statement under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

 

Certain statements set forth in or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, without limitation, the Company’s outlook for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 (“Fiscal 2004”), other statements in this report other than historical facts relating to the financial conditions, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of the Company. In addition, words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Such statements are based on management’s currently available operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon detailed assumptions about many important factors such as market demand, market conditions and competitive activities. While the Company believes that its assumptions are reasonable, readers are cautioned that there are inherent difficulties in predicting the impact of certain factors, especially those affecting the acceptance of the Company’s newly developed schools and businesses and performance of recently acquired businesses, which could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results. Readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update these statements. Actual future results, events and trends may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements depending on a variety of factors set forth throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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Table of Contents

Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 

    

(unaudited)

March 31,
2004


    June 30,
2003


 

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,173     $ 4,722  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $912 at March 2004 and $803 at June 2003

     3,706       5,111  

Notes receivable

     113       220  

Refundable income taxes

     715       1,203  

Deferred tax asset

     2,150       2,941  

Prepaid rent

     2,460       2,455  

Prepaid insurance and other

     1,547       1,941  

Property and equipment held for sale

     4,750       8,503  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     19,614       27,096  
    


 


Property and equipment, at cost

     62,431       57,602  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (35,212 )     (30,147 )
    


 


Total property and equipment

     27,219       27,455  
    


 


Goodwill

     39,965       39,965  

Intangible assets, net

     719       197  

Investment, net of $1,000 allowance

     1,500       1,500  

Deferred tax asset

     952       863  

Deposits and other assets

     1,858       892  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 91,827     $ 97,968  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current portion of long-term obligations

   $ 2,628     $ 24,860  

Current portion of swap contract

     145       910  

Cash overdraft liability

     1,412       3,429  

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

     11,809       10,662  

Unearned income

     11,508       10,330  
    


 


Total Current Liabilities

     27,502       50,191  
    


 


Long-term obligations

     13,424       677  

Long-term subordinated debt

     9,881       9,928  

Swap contract

     472       —    

Other long term liabilities

     1,130       3  

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiary

     74       94  
    


 


Total Liabilities

     52,483       60,893  
    


 


Commitments and Contingencies

                

Stockholders’ Equity:

                

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding 6,015,807 at March 2004 and 5,920,797 at June 2003. $13,676 and $11,524 aggregate liquidation preference at March 2004 and June 2003, respectively

     6       6  

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, issued 6,837,707 at March 2004 and 6,612,109 at June 2003, outstanding 6,615,070 at March 2004 and 6,381,599 at June 2003

     7       6  

Treasury stock, cost; 230,510 shares

     (1,375 )     (1,375 )

Additional paid-in capital

     51,187       47,753  

Accumulated deficit

     (10,099 )     (8,778 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (382 )     (537 )
    


 


Total Stockholders’ Equity

     39,344       37,075  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equitiy

   $ 91,827     $ 97,968  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes and the notes in the financial statements included in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended

    For the Nine Months Ended

 
     March 31,
2004


    March 31,
2003


    March 31,
2004


    March 31,
2003


 

Revenues

   $ 40,611     $ 39,153     $ 116,068     $ 109,687  
    


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                

Personnel costs

     19,571       18,453       56,282       52,458  

School operating costs

     5,561       5,303       17,085       15,750  

Insurance, taxes, rent and other

     8,786       8,484       26,003       24,660  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,398       1,303       3,803       3,798  

New school development

     19       4       63       213  
    


 


 


 


Total operating expenses

     35,335       33,547       103,236       96,879  
    


 


 


 


School operating profit

     5,276       5,606       12,832       12,808  
    


 


 


 


Goodwill impairment

     —         —         —         2,200  

Transaction related cost

     —         —         —         1,018  

General and administrative expenses

     2,919       3,141       10,807       8,857  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     2,357       2,465       2,025       733  

Interest expense

     805       846       2,725       2,535  

Other income

     (37 )     (233 )     (96 )     (218 )

Minority interest in income

     31       5       36       15  
    


 


 


 


Income (Loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     1,558       1,847       (640 )     (1,599 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     577       757       (262 )     246  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) from continuing operations

     981       1,090       (378 )     (1,845 )

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax effect

     (12 )     (237 )     (561 )     (2,528 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

     969       853       (939 )     (4,373 )

Preferred stock dividends

     132       20       382       61  
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) available to common shareholders

   $ 837     $ 833     $ (1,321 )   $ (4,434 )
    


 


 


 


Basic income (loss) per share:

                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.13     $ 0.17     $ (0.11 )   $ (0.30 )

Discontinued operations

     0.00     $ (0.04 )   $ (0.09 )     (0.40 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) per share

   $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ (0.20 )   $ (0.70 )
    


 


 


 


Diluted income (loss) per share:

                                

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.10     $ 0.14     $ (0.11 )   $ (0.30 )

Discontinued operations

     (0.00 )     (0.03 )     (0.09 )     (0.40 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) per share

   $ 0.10     $ 0.11     $ (0.20 )   $ (0.70 )
    


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes and the notes in the financial statements included in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     2004

    2003

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (939 )   $ (4,373 )
    


 


Adjustments to Reconcile Net loss to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     5,110       4,635  

Non-compete and consulting contracts

     896       —    

Amortization of debt discount

     96       96  

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

     378       180  

Provision for deferred taxes

     703       —    

Fixed asset write-offs

     —         2,622  

Goodwill impairment

     —         2,200  

Gain on sale of property

     (76 )     —    

Other

     65       18  

Changes in Assets and Liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     1,621       (819 )

Prepaid assets

     390       966  

Other assets and liabilities

     (969 )     227  

Unearned income

     1,178       1,866  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     213       (983 )
    


 


Total Adjustments

     9,605       11,008  
    


 


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     8,666       6,635  
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

                

Purchases of property and equipment

     (4,798 )     (4,543 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     3,935       —    

Repayment on note receivable

             100  

Issuance of notes receivable

     —         (85 )
    


 


Net Cash Provided (Used) in Investing Activities

     (863 )     (4,528 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

                

Proceeds from revolving line of credit

     —         1,646  

Proceeds from the issuance of debt

     14,995       —    

Repayment of long term debt

     (23,991 )     (1,607 )

Repayment of subordinated debt

     (410 )     (1,215 )

Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock

     2,895       —    

Cash overdraft

     (2,018 )     12  

Repayment of capital lease obligation

     (220 )     (110 )

Dividends paid to preferred stockholders

     (60 )     (62 )

Cash distribution of minority interest

     (56 )     (158 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

     513       25  
    


 


Net Cash (Used) in Financing Activities

     (8,352 )     (1,469 )
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (549 )     638  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     4,722       1,787  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 4,173     $ 2,425  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes and the notes in the financial statements included in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Nobel Learning Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Loss

For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2004

(Dollars in thousands except share data)

 

    Preferred Stock

   Common Stock

   Treasury
Stock


    Additional
Paid-In
Capital


   Accumulated
Deficit


    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss


    Total

 
    Shares

    Amount

   Shares

   Amount

           

June 30, 2003

  5,920,797     $ 6    6,612,109    $ 6    $ (1,375 )   $ 47,753    $ (8,778 )   $ (537 )   $ 37,075  

Comprehensive loss:

                                                               

Net loss

  —         —      —        —        —         —        (939 )     —         (939 )

Swap contract, net of tax

  —         —      —        —        —         —        —         155       155  
                                                           


Total comprehensive loss

                                                            (784 )

Issuance of preferred stock

  588,236       1    —        —        —         2,894      —         —         2,895  

Preferred stock converted

  (493,226 )     —      127,266      —                                          

Stock options exercised

               98,332      —                513                      513  

Compensation for non employee stock options

  —         —      —        —        —         27      —         —         27  

Preferred dividends

  —         —      —        —        —         —        (382 )     —         (382 )
   

 

  
  

  


 

  


 


 


March 31, 2004

  6,015,807     $ 7    6,837,707    $ 6    $ (1,375 )   $ 51,187    $ (10,099 )   $ (382 )   $ 39,344  
   

 

  
  

  


 

  


 


 


 

The accompanying notes and the notes in the financial statements included in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K

are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NOBEL LEARNING COMMUNITIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

(unaudited)

 

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2003.

 

Due to the inherent seasonal nature of the education and child care businesses, annualization of amounts in these interim financial statements may not be indicative of the actual operating results for the full year.

 

Future results of operations of the Company involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could affect future operating results and cause actual results to vary materially from historical results include, but are not limited to, consumer acceptance of the Company’s business strategy with respect to expansion into new and existing markets, the Company’s debt and related financial covenants, difficulties in managing the Company’s growth including attracting and retaining qualified personnel and additional enrollments, impairment, if any, of goodwill, increased competition, changes in government policy and regulation and the ability to obtain additional financing or capital required to implement fully the Company’s business plan. Negative developments in these areas could have a material effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

 

Note 2 – Liquidity

 

Refinancing

 

On February 20, 2004, the Company completed a refinancing of its senior credit facility and its senior subordinated debt.

 

The Company entered into a $23,000,000 Credit Agreement with Harris Trust and Savings Bank (the “Credit Agreement”) which provides for a $14,995,000 term loan (the “Term Loan”) and an $8,000,000 working capital line (the “Working Capital Line”). Proceeds from the Term Loan were used by the Company to retire approximately $15,000,000 in obligations outstanding under the Company’s previous Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Fleet Bank. The Term Loan will mature on February 15, 2009 and provides for $2,000,000 annual amortization with the balance paid at maturity. The Working Capital Line is scheduled to terminate on February 15, 2009. Up to $3,000,000 of the Working Capital Line may be used for the issuance of letters of credit. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by subsidiaries which are 80% or more owned by the Company, and are collateralized by a pledge of stock of the Company’s subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement is secured by liens on real property owned by the Company. At March 31, 2004, the Company had $14,995,000 outstanding under the Term Loan and no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Line.

 

The Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either of the following rates, which may be adjusted in quarterly increments based on the achievement of performance goals: (1) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a debt to EBITDA-dependent rate ranging from 3.25% to 3.75%, or (2) base rate plus a debt to EBITDA-dependent rate ranging from 1.00% to 1.5%. At March 31, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on the Credit Agreement was 8.03%.

 

The Company also pays a letter of credit fee based on the face amount of each letter of credit calculated at the rate per year then applicable to loans under the Credit Agreements bearing interest based on an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a debt to EBITDA-dependent rate ranging from 3.0% to 3.5%. At March 31, 2004, the Company had $1,246,000 committed under outstanding letters of credit.

 

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On February 20, 2004, the Company also retired its existing $10,000,000 senior subordinated debt outstanding with Allied Capital Corporation by issuing a $5,000,000 senior subordinated note to Blesbok LLC and a $5,000,000 senior subordinated note to Mollusk Holdings LLC (the “Notes”). The Notes are due August 15, 2009 and bear interest at the rate of 13.25%. The Company may make prepayments on the Notes, in whole or in part, after February 20, 2005.

 

The Credit Agreement and the Notes contain customary covenants and provisions that restrict the Company’s ability to change its business, declare dividends, grant liens, incur additional indebtedness and make capital expenditures. In addition, the Credit Agreement and the Notes provide that the Company must meet or exceed defined amounts for EBITDA and fixed charges and must not exceed leverage ratios.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Credit Agreement and the Notes, the Company incurred $1,300,000 of cost related to legal, investment banking and commitment fees. The fees have been capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the agreements. In addition, the Company expensed $82,000 of unamortized debt fees related to the retirement of the senior subordinated note issued to Allied Capital Corporation.

 

Amendments related to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Fleet Bank Retired by the February 20, 2004 Refinancing

 

On September 29, 2003, the Company entered into its sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Fleet Bank. This amendment (i) modified the definition of EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and excludes certain one time charges) to allow for additional non-cash expenses associated with the Company’s Fiscal 2003 and its first quarter Fiscal 2004 results to be excluded from EBITDA, (ii) required a $1,000,000 pay down on the acquisition credit facility, (iii) reduced its working capital line of credit from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000, (iv) required the Company to have a commitment by October 31, 2003 for refinancing of its existing senior credit facility and (v) required that all of the Company’s senior debt be paid off by December 31, 2003. On October 31, 2003, the Company received a commitment letter to refinance its existing debt.

 

On October 24, 2003, the Company and its senior lenders agreed to replace Exhibit I (which defined non-cash charges excluded from the definition of EBITDA) to the sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, to further modify the definition of EBITDA to allow the exclusion of additional non-cash expenses related to certain non-compete and consulting agreements (See Note 3).

 

On May 28, 2003, the Company entered into its fifth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Fleet Bank. This amendment (i) waived the Company’s noncompliance with its financial ratios for the periods ending December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003, (ii) reset future required financial covenant ratios, (iii) changed the maturity of the acquisition credit facility to December 31, 2003, (iv) increased the interest rate spread over the prime rate, required a capital infusion of at least $5,000,000 by June 30, 2003, (v) required that a minimum of $4,000,000 of additional capital infusion be received by the Company with the proceeds applied against the acquisition credit facility by August 30, 2003, and (vi) placed a limitation on capital expenditures.

 

In connection with the above amendments, the company incurred $465,000 in fees paid to Fleet Bank which are reflected in interest expense.

 

Issuance of Preferred Stock

 

On September 9, 2003, the Company issued in a private placement an aggregate of 588,236 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, in exchange for an investment of $3,000,000. The Series F Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of one share of Common Stock for each share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. Holders of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to dividends, which shall accrue and be paid quarterly in arrears at an annual rate of 5% of the Series F Purchase Price during years 1, 2 and 3. If the average stock price per share during the last 5 days of the third year is greater than $8 per share, then the dividend rate would remain at 5% for years 4 and 5, otherwise it would increase to 8%. Under either scenario, the dividend rate would increase to 12% in year 6. In addition, if during the 12 month period ending June 2004, the Company’s EBITDA is less than $12,000,000, the dividend rate would increase to 8% until the Company achieves an EBITDA of at least $14,000,000. The dividends will be paid in kind with additional shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock during the first three years, and in cash or in kind, at the option of the Company thereafter. All dividends will be paid prior to and in preference to the Common Stock. Upon liquidation, the holders of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, before any distribution or payment is made upon the Common Stock, the Series F

 

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Purchase Price plus any unpaid dividends, plus a liquidation preference equal to the greater of 1.5 times the Series F Purchase Price, or the amount such holders would have received if all shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock immediately prior to such liquidation. Each outstanding share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to .9623 of a vote, subject to adjustment. The proceeds from the issuance of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock were used for the repayment of debt, to meet certain bank covenants, to meet certain requirements relating to the negotiations for the sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, requirements for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

 

On June 17, 2003 the Company completed a private placement of an aggregate of 1,333,333 shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, for a purchase price of $6,000,000. The Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion rate of one share of Common Stock for each Series E Convertible Preferred Stock. The proceeds from the issuance of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock were used to pay down the Company’s Working Capital Line of Credit by $4,543,000 with the remainder being available for working capital purposes.

 

Conversion of Preferred Stock

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2004, 90,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into 26,460 shares of common stock and 403,226 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into 100,806 shares of common stock.

 

Sale of Property

 

On August 28, 2003, the Company completed the sale of an owned school located in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area and received net proceeds of $3,935,000. On September 2, 2003, the Company used the proceeds from the sale of the Arizona property to make a required $4,000,000 payment against the acquisition credit facility.

 

As a result of these events and scheduled payments, the total amount outstanding under the Company’s senior credit bank agreements was $14,995,000 at March 31, 2004 as compared to $23,990,000 at June 30, 2003, as shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2004


   June 30,
2003


Term Loan Facility

   $ 14,995    $ 10,714

Acquisition Credit Facility

     n/a      13,276

Working Capital Credit Facility

     —        —  
    

  

     $ 14,995    $ 23,990
    

  

 

Note 3 – Non-Compete and Consulting Agreements

 

On August 29, 2001, the Company entered into Employment and Termination Agreements with each of Mr. A.J. Clegg and Mr. John Frock. These agreements provided, as to each of these executives, that if such executive voluntarily terminated his employment with the Company, the Company would continue to provide, at its cost, family health insurance coverage to the executive and his spouse for the remainder of their lives or, in the event that the Company is unable under its then-current group health insurance plan to provide such family health insurance coverage, the Company would reimburse the executive and his spouse up to $24,000 per year for the cost of obtaining similar health insurance coverage. Upon such termination, the Company would also provide each executive with two full, annual scholarships per year for life to the Company school of his choice. In the Employment and Termination Agreements, each executive also agreed not to compete with the Company for a period of three years following termination of his employment, in exchange for which the Company would, for each such year, pay to Mr. A.J. Clegg the sum of $100,000 and to Mr. Frock the sum of $50,000. Annual payments made with respect to the agreements not to compete will be expensed annually.

 

Upon Mr. A.J. Clegg’s voluntary termination of his employment in July 2003, the Company became obligated to Mr. A.J. Clegg for the payments and benefits to be provided to him pursuant to the terms of his Employment and Termination Agreement. In addition, the Company, Mr. A.J. Clegg and Tuscan Business Solutions, Inc. (an entity owned and controlled by Mr. A.J. Clegg) entered into a consulting agreement, as required by Mr. A.J. Clegg’s Employment and Termination Agreement, pursuant to which Tuscan Business Solutions agreed, for a term of five years, to provide up to 10 hours of consulting services each month for the Company, for which Tuscan Business Solutions is being paid $200,000 per year.

 

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Table of Contents

Upon Mr. Frock’s voluntary termination of his employment in August 2003, the Company became obligated to Mr. Frock for the payments and benefits to be provided to him pursuant to the terms of his Employment and Termination Agreement. In addition, the Company and Mr. Frock entered into a consulting agreement, as required by Mr. Frock’s Employment and Termination Agreement, pursuant to which Mr. Frock agreed, for a term of five years, to provide up to 10 hours of consulting services each month for the Company, for which Mr. Frock is being paid $100,000 per year.

 

Total payments to be made with respect to the above consulting agreements over the next five years is $1,500,000 and estimated future payments for future health insurance coverage based on life expectancy is approximately $1,304,000. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2004, the Company recorded a $1,500,000 charge to cover the present value of the future payments to be made with respect to these consulting agreements of approximately $1,290,000 and charges for future health insurance coverage of approximately $210,000.

 

The Company and Mr. Frock are also parties to a Noncompete Agreement, dated as of March 11, 1997, which provided that the Company would make a payment to Mr. Frock of $255,000 following his termination for any reason (including, without limitation, resignation) if, within 30 days of his termination date, Mr. Frock delivered a letter to the Company agreeing not to engage in specified activities in competition with the Company for four years. On August 28, 2003, Mr. Frock resigned his employment with the Company, and delivered such a letter to the Company. Accordingly, the Company has made the payment to Mr. Frock required under the terms of this agreement, which was capitalized in the first quarter of Fiscal 2004 and will be amortized over the contract period.

 

On October 17, 2003, the Company announced that Scott Clegg was resigning as Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective October 31, 2003.

 

The Company entered into a certain Separation Agreement and General Release with Mr. D. Scott Clegg dated October 15, 2003 (the “Clegg Separation Agreement”). Pursuant to the Clegg Separation Agreement, Mr. D. Scott Clegg’s employment with the Company terminated on October 31, 2003, and he agreed to continue to serve the Company as a consultant through April 30, 2004 (the “Salary Continuation Period”). The Agreement provided for Mr. D. Scott Clegg to continue to receive, on a bi-weekly basis for a period of six months, that amount which he would have received as his base salary had he still been employed by the Company. The Company agreed to continue to forgive, during each month of the Salary Continuation Period, the remaining principal amount and interest on the sum of $35,000 previously paid to him for relocation expenses. Mr. D. Scott Clegg agreed to 20 consulting days at an additional $1,000 per day, first to be used to offset any remaining relocation balance, with any additional sums to paid in cash. In addition, Mr. D. Scott Clegg received a lump sum payment equal to the number of days of vacation, which had accrued but were unused, multiplied by his prorated daily compensation. Pursuant to the Clegg Separation Agreement, Mr. D. Scott Clegg also agreed not to compete against the Company for a period of 18 months following his separation with the Company.

 

9


Table of Contents

Note 4 - Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. In the calculation of diluted earnings per share, shares outstanding are adjusted to assume conversion of the Company’s non-interest bearing convertible preferred stock if they are dilutive. In the calculation of basic earnings per share, weighted average number of shares outstanding are used as the denominator. The Company was in a loss position for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003. The common stock equivalents of stock options, warrants and convertible securities issued and outstanding during each nine month period were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as they were antidilutive. Earnings per share are computed as follows (dollars and average common stock outstanding in thousands):

 

    For the Three Months
Ended March 31,


   For the Nine Months
Ended March 31,


 
    2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

 

Basic and diluted loss per share:

                             

Net income (loss)

  $ 969    $ 853    $ (939 )   $ (4,373 )

Less preferred dividends

    132      20      382       61  
   

  

  


 


Income (loss) available for common stock

    837      833      (1,321 )     (4,434 )
   

  

  


 


Average common stock outstanding

    6,578      6,332      6,476       6,330  
   

  

  


 


Basic income (loss) per share

  $ 0.13    $ 0.13    $ (0.20 )   $ (0.70 )
   

  

  


 


Diluted loss per share:

                             

Income (loss) available for common stock and dilutive securities

    969      853      (1,321 )     (4,434 )

Average common stock outstanding

    6,578      6,332      6,476       6,330  

Options, warrants and convertible preferred stock

    2,764      1,192      —         —    
   

  

  


 


Average common stock and dilutive securities outstanding

    9,342      7,524      6,476       6,330  
   

  

  


 


Dilutive income (loss) per share

  $ 0.10    $ 0.11    $ (0.20 )   $ (0.70 )
   

  

  


 


 

Note 5. Discontinued Operations

 

Effective July 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS No. 121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of and the accounting and reporting provisions of APB No. 30, Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions for the disposal of a segment of business. SFAS 144 modifies the accounting and reporting for long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations.

 

During the first quarter of Fiscal 2003, the Company discontinued the operations of a leased school in Sarasota, Florida. In January 2003, the Company entered into a sub-lease agreement for the remaining term of that lease in excess of the future lease payment obligations. The Company recorded a charge during the nine months ended March 31, 2004 of $585,000 for the write-off of the leasehold improvements related to this school.

 

In May 2003, the Company subleased to the Unified School District No. 11, of Maricopa County, Arizona, the premises at which the Company had previously operated its Fletcher Heights Charter Elementary School. The sublease with the Unified School District No. 11 is for five years with a provision to terminate the sublease after two years. The Company’s commitment under the lease expires August 2016.

 

In the second quarter of Fiscal 2003, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its Desert Heights Charter Elementary School and reduced the carrying value of that property to its net realizable value of $3,850,000. The Company recorded a charge of $2,297,000 for the write-down of this asset to its net realizable value. In August 2003, the Company sold to Partnership With Parents, Inc. (an Arizona non-profit corporation), for $3,935,000, the premises at which the Company had previously owned and operated its Desert Heights Charter Elementary School.

 

In the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2003, the Company created a plan to develop exit strategies for schools identified as under-performing and/or which do not fit well with the Company’s business or geographic strategies. The plan includes 10 schools (two of which are owned and the rest leased) and one undeveloped school location. The Company is actively seeking buyers for these schools and will continue to operate these schools until disposal or the expiration of their lease terms. As part of this plan, in June 2003, the Company closed an elementary school located in Wilmington, North Carolina and in August 2003, the Company closed a pre-elementary school located in Cary, North Carolina.

 

In April 2001, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease and open a school in the Atlanta, Georgia area by October 1, 2003. The Company decided not to pursue the development of this school and as a result, the Company was required to purchase the property on October 1, 2003 for approximately $1,860,000. The Company has listed the property with a real estate broker and is actively pursuing the sale and disposition of this property. It is anticipated that the proceeds from the sale of this property will be between $1,150,000 and $1,250,000. At June 30, 2003, the Company recorded an expected loss on the sale of this property of $594,000, which amount was included in losses from discontinued operations. Additional cost related to this property to be incurred in the future is estimated to be between $100,000 to $200,000 for related carrying cost and closing fees.

 

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Table of Contents

The operating results for schools classified as discontinued operations in the unaudited statements of operations for all periods presented, net of tax is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,


    For the Nine Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 1,554     $ 3,195     $ 4,669     $ 8,539  

Operating expenses

     1,573       3,597       5,609       10,202  
    


 


 


 


School operating loss

     (19 )     (402 )     (940 )     (1,663 )

Write down of property and equipment

             —                 (2,460 )

Reserve for closed schools

             —                 (162 )
    


 


 


 


Loss from discontinued operations before income tax benefit

     (19 )     (402 )     (940 )     (4,285 )

Income tax benefit

     (7 )     (165 )     (379 )     (1,757 )
    


 


 


 


Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (12 )   $ (237 )   $ (561 )   $ (2,528 )
    


 


 


 


 

At June 30, 2003, the Company recorded a reserve for closed schools of $1,904,000. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had paid $964,000 in cash items related to this reserve. Of this amount, $370,000 is related to lease payments on closed schools and $594,000 related to carrying cost and other expenses above the market value of property purchased in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

Note 6 – Segment Information

 

The Company manages private schools, which consist of pre-elementary, elementary, and programs for special needs children in 14 states. In Fiscal 2000, the Company acquired The Activities Club and began providing management services to charter schools. These operations have different characteristics and are managed separately from the school operations. These operations do not currently meet the quantification criteria and therefore are not deemed reportable under SFAS 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” and are reflected in the “other” category.

 

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Table of Contents

The table below presents information about the financial results and condition of the Company’s operating segments for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Private
Schools


   Other

   Corporate

   Total

Three months ended March 31,

                           

2004

                           

Revenues

   $ 40,011    $ 600    $ —      $ 40,611

School operating income

     5,050      226      —        5,276

Depreciation and amortization:

                           

Continuing operations

   $ 1,264    $ 118    $ 189    $ 1,571

Discontinued operations

     20      19             39
    

  

  

  

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 1,284    $ 137    $ 189    $ 1,610
    

  

  

  

Goodwill

     39,965      —        —        39,965

Segment assets

                           

Continuing operations

   $ 78,448    $ 3,460    $ 3,673    $ 85,581

Discontinued operations

     5,592      654             6,246
    

  

  

  

Total assets

   $ 84,040    $ 4,114    $ 3,673    $ 91,827
    

  

  

  

2003

                           

Revenues

   $ 38,584    $ 569    $ —      $ 39,153

School operating income

     5,465      141      —        5,606

Depreciation and amortization

                           

Continuing operations

   $ 1,094    $ 126    $ 173    $ 1,393

Discontinued operations

     98      73             171
    

  

  

  

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 1,192    $ 199    $ 173    $ 1,564
    

  

  

  

Goodwill

     46,176      —        —        46,176

Segment assets

                           

Continuing operations

   $ 75,032    $ 5,597    $ 5,886    $ 86,515

Discontinued operations

     5,953      5,645             11,598
    

  

  

  

Total assets

   $ 80,985    $ 11,242    $ 5,886    $ 98,113
    

  

  

  

Nine months ended March 31,

                           

2004

                           

Revenues

   $ 114,306    $ 1,762    $ —      $ 116,068

School operating income

     12,235      597      —        12,832

Depreciation and amortization:

                           

Continuing operations

   $ 3,400    $ 354    $ 577    $ 4,331

Discontinued operations

     607      172             779
    

  

  

  

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 4,007    $ 526    $ 577    $ 5,110
    

  

  

  

2003

                           

Revenues

   $ 107,960    $ 1,727    $ —      $ 109,687

School operating income

     12,385      423      —        12,808

Depreciation and amortization

                           

Continuing operations

   $ 3,151    $ 389    $ 581    $ 4,121

Discontinued operations

     297      217             514
    

  

  

  

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 3,448    $ 606    $ 581    $ 4,635
    

  

  

  

 

Note 7 – Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets include non-compete agreements, trademarks and other identifiable intangibles acquired in acquisitions. In the first quarter of Fiscal 2004, the Company recorded $705,000 of non-compete obligations related to former employees. Such intangibles are being amortized over the life of the intangibles ranging from 3 – 20 years.

 

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Table of Contents

At March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2003 the Company’s intangibles assets were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2004


    June 30,
2003


 

Non-compete

   $ 3,198     $ 2,493  

Other

     1,176       1,176  
    


 


       4,374       3,669  

Accumulated amortization

     (3,655 )     (3,472 )
    


 


     $ 719     $ 197  
    


 


 

Amortization expense was $70,000 and $83,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003, respectively and $182,000 and $258,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 and March 31, 2003, respectively.

 

Note 8 – Stock Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for options under the recognition and measurement principles of Account Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The Company has adopted only the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation-Transaction and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement 123”. Accordingly, no stock –based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 148, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share would have been decreased to the pro forma amounts indicated below (dollars in thousands except per share data):

 

    

For the Three Months,

Ended March 31,


    For the Nine Months,
Ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss) - As reported

   $ 969     $ 853     $ (939 )   $ (4,373 )

Add: stock based compensation included in net (loss) income as reported

     —         —         —         —    

Deduct stock based compensation determined under fair value based methods for all awards

     (23 )     (24 )     (70 )     (72 )
    


 


 


 


Pro Forma net income (loss)

   $ 946     $ 829     $ (1,009 )   $ (4,445 )
    


 


 


 


Basic income (loss) per share - as reported

   $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ (0.20 )   $ (0.70 )

Basic income (loss) per share - pro forma

   $ 0.13     $ 0.13     $ (0.21 )   $ (0.71 )

Diluted income (loss) per share - as reported

   $ 0.10     $ 0.11     $ (0.20 )   $ (0.70 )

Diluted income (loss) per share - pro forma

   $ 0.10     $ 0.11     $ (0.21 )   $ (0.71 )

 

Note 9 – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is engaged in legal actions arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company currently believes that the ultimate outcome of all such pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. The significance of these pending matters on the Company’s future operating results and cash flows depends on the level of future results of operations and cash flows as well as on the timing and amounts, if any, of the ultimate outcome.

 

The Company carries fire and other casualty insurance on its schools and liability insurance in amounts which management believes are adequate for its operations. As is the case with other entities in the education and preschool industry, the Company cannot effectively insure itself against certain risks inherent in its operations. Some forms of child abuse have insurance sublimits per claim in the general liability coverage.

 

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Table of Contents

Note 10 - Interest Rate Swap Agreement

 

In connection with the May 2001 amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, the Company entered an interest rate swap agreement in June 2002 on its $15,000,000 Term Loan Facility. The Company uses this derivative financial instrument to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The instrument involves, to varying degrees, market risk, as the instrument is subject to rate and price fluctuations, and elements of credit risk in the event the counterparty should default. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes. At March 31, 2004 the Company’s interest rate swap contract outstanding had a total notional amount of $9,643,000. Under the interest rate swap contract, the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of 5.46% and the counterparty agrees to make payments based on 3-month LIBOR. The market value of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31, 2004 resulted in a liability of $617,000 and is included as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as $382,000, net of taxes, of which a portion is expected to be reclassified to the consolidated statement of income within one year.

 

On February 20, 2004, the Company transferred it rights under the interest rate swap agreement to Harris Trust and Savings Bank which continues the existence of the interest rate swap. Under the assignment, $9,643,000 of the term loan has been allocated to the swap agreement, which retains the same terms and conditions.

 

14


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Management Changes

 

On July 10, 2003, Mr. A.J. Clegg resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, and on August 28, 2003, Mr. Frock resigned as the Company’s Vice Chairman of Corporate Development. In August 2003, Mr. A.J. Clegg and Mr. Frock resigned from the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

On July 25, 2003, George Bernstein was appointed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and appointed to its Board of Directors.

 

On September 3, 2003, Jeanne Marie Welsko was hired as the Company’s Vice President of Human Resources.

 

On October 17, 2003 the Company announced that Scott Clegg was resigning as Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective October 31, 2003.

 

On October 23, 2003, the Company announced that it had hired Osborne F. Abbey, Jr., Ed.D. as its new Vice President of Education, effective December 1, 2003.

 

On January 7, 2004, the Company announced that it had hired Thomas Frank as its new Chief Financial Officer.

 

On January 12, 2004, the Company announced that it had hired Patricia Miller as its new Chief Operating Officer.

 

Results of Operations

 

For the Third Quarter ended March 31, 2004 (“third quarter 2004”) vs. the Third Quarter ended March 31, 2003 (“third quarter 2003”)

 

At March 31, 2004, the Company operated 172 schools. Since March 31, 2003, the Company has opened one pre-elementary school. The Company has also closed nine schools since March 31, 2003. Seven of the schools closed are included in discontinued operations and were closed prior to the expiration of their lease terms. Two additional schools closed at the end of their lease term.

 

Revenues

 

Revenues for the third quarter 2004 increased $1,458,000 or 3.7% to $40,611,000 from $39,153,000 for the third quarter 2003. The increase in revenues is primarily attributable to a full year of operations for schools opened in Fiscal 2003 and tuition increases for schools opened before Fiscal 2003. The revenue increase for the third quarter 2004 as compared to the third quarter 2003 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fiscal 2004

   Fiscal 2003

   Increase
(decrease)


 

Schools open before Fiscal 2003

   $ 38,533    $ 37,734    $ 799  

Schools opened in Fiscal 2003

     1,879      1,408      471  

New schools in Fiscal 2004

     199      —        199  

Closed schools

     —        11      (11 )
    

  

  


     $ 40,611    $ 39,153    $ 1,458  
    

  

  


 

Schools opened before Fiscal 2003 increased $799,000 or 2.1% in the third quarter 2004 compared to third quarter 2003. This increase was primarily due to tuition increases. The schools that opened in Fiscal 2003 had an increase in revenues of $471,000 due to normal ramp up in enrollment for newer schools. The one new school opened in the second quarter of 2004 had revenues of $199,000.

 

15


Table of Contents

School operating profit

 

School operating profit for the third quarter, 2004 decreased $330,000 or 5.9% to $5,276,000 from $5,606,000 for the third quarter 2003. Total school operating profit as a percentage of revenue was 13% for the third quarter 2004 and 14.3% for the third quarter 2003. The decrease in school operating profit for the third quarter 2004 as compared to the third quarter 2003 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fiscal 2004

    Fiscal 2003

    Increase
(decrease)


 

Schools open before Fiscal 2003

   $ 5,555     $ 5,968     $ (413 )

Schools opened in Fiscal 2003

     (191 )     (348 )     157  

New schools in Fiscal 2004

     (88 )     —         (88 )

Closed schools

     —         (14 )     14  
    


 


 


     $ 5,276     $ 5,606     $ (330 )
    


 


 


 

Operating profit from schools opened before Fiscal 2003 decreased $413,000 in the third quarter 2004 compared to the third quarter 2003. School operating profit as a percentage of applicable revenue for these schools decreased to 14.4% in the third quarter 2004 from 15.8% in the third quarter 2003. This decrease is primarily due to increases in school labor cost, increases in insurance costs for health care benefits and annual rent increases.

 

The schools that opened in Fiscal 2003 had a reduction in school operating losses of $157,000 due in part to normal ramp up in enrollment for schools in their second year of operations. New schools opened in Fiscal 2004 had losses of $88,000 due in part to the normal new school enrollment ramp up period.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses decreased $222,000 from $3,141,000 for the third quarter 2003 to $2,919,000 for the third quarter 2004. The decrease in general and administrative expenses from the third quarter 2003 to the third quarter of 2004 were due primarily to decreases in professional fees and repayment from an insurance claim related to legal fees incurred from a stockholder suit that was dismissed.

 

Operating Income

 

As a result of the factors mentioned above, operating income decreased $108,000 from $2,465,000 for the third quarter 2003 to $2,357,000 for the third quarter 2004.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense decreased $41,000 or 4.8% from $846,000 for the third quarter 2003 to $805,000 for the third quarter 2004. The decrease in interest expense is related to reduced interest on the Company’s senior debt as a result of debt repayments which were offset by an increase in the amortization of fees associated with the refinancing of the Company’s senior debt in February 20, 2004 of $22,000 and the write-off of the remaining fees associated with the refinanced debt of $81,000.

 

Income tax expense

 

Income tax expense for the third quarter 2004 was $577,000 as compared to $757,000 for the same period in the prior year. The Company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter 2004 was 37% and is comparable to the prior period.

 

16


Table of Contents

Discontinued operations

 

The operating results for schools classified as discontinued operations in the unaudited statements of operations for all periods presented, net of tax is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     For the Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 1,554     $ 3,195  

Operating expenses

     1,573       3,597  
    


 


School operating loss

     (19 )     (402 )

Write down of property and equipment

     —         —    

Reserve for closed schools

     —         —    
    


 


Loss from discontinued operations before income tax benefit

     (19 )     (402 )

Income tax (benefit)

     (7 )     (165 )
    


 


Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (12 )   $ (237 )
    


 


 

Net Income

 

As a result of the above factors, the Company’s net income was $969,000 for the third quarter 2004 as compared to $853,000 in the third quarter 2003

 

For the Nine Months ended March 31, 2004 vs. the Nine Months ended March 31, 2003

 

The reporting period for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 varies from the same period in the prior year. The variation in the reporting periods for Fiscal 2004 is a result of the timing of the calendar month end as compared to the prior year. As a result, the nine months ended March 31, 2004 has two extra days verses the same period in the prior year. The effects of these additional days are indicated in the respective discussion below.

 

Revenues

 

Revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 increased $6,381,000 or 5.8% to $116,068,000 from $109,687,000 for the same period in prior year. The increase in revenues is primarily attributable to a full year of operations for schools opened in Fiscal 2003, tuition increases for schools opened before June 30, 2002, and two additional days in the nine months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2003. The revenue increase for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to nine months ended March 31, 2003 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fiscal 2004

   Fiscal 2003

   Increase
(decrease)


 

Schools open before Fiscal 2003

   $ 109,003    $ 106,411    $ 2,592  

Schools opened in Fiscal 2003

     5,285      3,188      2,097  

New schools in Fiscal 2004

     461      —        461  

Period end variance

     1,319      —        1,319  

Closed schools

     —        88      (88 )
    

  

  


     $ 116,068    $ 109,687    $ 6,381  
    

  

  


 

Schools opened before Fiscal 2003 increased $2,592,000 or 2.4% in the nine months ended March 31, 2004 compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to tuition increases. The schools that opened in Fiscal 2003 had an increase in revenues of $2,097,000 due to normal ramp up in enrollment for newer schools. The one new school opened in Fiscal 2004 had revenues of $461,000. The two additional days in the nine months ended March 31, 2004 resulted in additional revenue of $1,319,000 as compared to the same period last year.

 

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School operating profit

 

School operating profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 increased $24,000 to $12,832,000 from $12,808,000 for the same period in the prior year. Total school operating profit, as a percentage of revenue was 11.0% for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 and 11.7% for nine months ended March 31, 2003. The increase in school operating profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the same period in the prior year is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Fiscal 2004

    Fiscal 2003

    Increase
(decrease)


 

Schools open before Fiscal 2003

   $ 13,375     $ 14,429     $ (1,054 )

Schools opened in Fiscal 2003

     (641 )     (1,547 )     906  

New schools in Fiscal 2004

     (290 )     —         (290 )

Period end variance

     390       —         390  

Closed schools

     (2 )     (74 )     72  
    


 


 


     $ 12,832     $ 12,808     $ 24  
    


 


 


 

Operating profit from schools opened before Fiscal 2003 decreased $1,054,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to the same period in the prior year. School operating profit as a percentage of applicable revenue for these schools decreased to 12.3% in the nine months ended March 31, 2004 from 13.6% during the same period in the prior year. This decrease is primarily due to increases in school labor cost, increases in insurance costs for health care benefits and annual rent increases.

 

The schools that opened in Fiscal 2003 had increases in school operating profit of $906,000 due in part to normal ramp up in enrollment for schools in their second year of operations. New schools opened in Fiscal 2004 had losses of $290,000 due in part to the normal new school enrollment ramp up period. The two additional days in nine months ended March 31, 2004 resulted in additional school operating profit of $390,000 as compared to the same period last year.

 

General and administrative expenses

 

General and administrative expenses increased $1,950,000 from $8,857,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2003 to $10,807,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The largest portion of this increase was a $1,500,000 charge related to the present value of the future payments to be made with respect to consulting agreements with two former executives of approximately $1,290,000 and charges for future health insurance coverage of approximately $210,000. In addition, general and administrative expenses increases were due to increases in recruiting and relocation costs. These increases were offset partially by a decrease in professional fees and repayment from an insurance claim related to legal fees incurred from a stockholder suit that was dismissed.

 

Transaction related cost

 

Transaction related costs during the nine months ended March 31, 2003 of $1,018,000 were related to legal and professional fees associated with a merger agreement that was terminated on February 3, 2003.

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

Due to the termination of a merger agreement and the decline in the stock price in the third quarter of Fiscal 2003, the Company was required by SFAS 142 to evaluate the Company’s goodwill for recovery based on the facts and circumstances at December 31, 2002. An independent valuation consultant engaged by the Company estimated fair values for each reporting unit using discounted cash flow projections in evaluating and measuring a potential impairment charge. The level one impairment test as required under SFAS 142 as of December 31, 2002 indicated that two of the Company’s ten reporting units were impaired (Washington/Oregon and Pennsylvania/New Jersey). Based on the consultant’s independent valuation and completion of the level two analysis, the Company recorded an impairment loss related to these two reporting units of $2,200,000.

 

Operating Income

 

As a result of the factors mentioned above, operating income increased $1,292,000 from $733,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2003 to $2,025,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense increased $190,000 or 7.5% from $2,535,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2003 to $2,725,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The increase in interest expense is related to $465,000 in fees paid to Fleet Bank in connection with amendments to the Company’s senior credit facility and $81,000 related to the write off of debt issuance cost associated with the refinanced debt. This increase was offset by reduced interest on the Company’s senior debt as a result of debt repayments.

 

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Income tax benefit

 

Income tax benefit for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 was $262,000 as compared to income tax expense of $246,000 for the same period in the prior year. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 was 41%. For the nine months ended March 31, 2003, the Company had income tax expense related to the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $2,200,000. The income tax expense of $246,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2003 represents 41% of the adjusted pretax income of $602,000 (pretax loss before the goodwill impairment charge).

 

Discontinued operations

 

The operating results for schools classified as discontinued operations in the unaudited statements of operations for all periods presented, net of tax is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    

For the Nine Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 4,669     $ 8,539  

Operating expenses

     5,609       10,202  
    


 


School operating loss

     (940 )     (1,663 )

Write down of property and equipment

     —         (2,460 )

Reserve for closed schools

     —         (162 )
    


 


Loss from discontinued operations before income tax benefit

     (940 )     (4,285 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (379 )     (1,757 )
    


 


Loss from discontinued operations

   $ (561 )   $ (2,528 )
    


 


 

Net loss

 

As a result of the above factors, the Company’s net loss decreased by $3,434,000 to $93,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 as compared to a net loss of $4,373,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2003

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Refinancing

 

On February 20, 2004, the Company completed a refinancing of its senior credit facility and its senior subordinated debt.

 

The Company entered into the Credit Agreement with Harris Trust and Savings Bank, which provides for the Term Loan and the Working Capital Line. Proceeds from the Term Loan were used by the Company to retire approximately $15,000,000 in obligations outstanding under the Company’s previous Amended and Restate Credit Agreement with Fleet Bank. The Term Loan will mature on February 15, 2009 and provides for $2,000,000 annual amortization with the balance paid at maturity. The Working Capital Line is scheduled to terminate on February 15, 2009. Up to $3,000,000 of the Working Capital Line may be used for the issuance of letters of credit. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by subsidiaries which are 80% or more owned by the Company and are collateralized by a pledge of stock of the Company’s subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement is secured by liens on real property owned by the Company. At March 31, 2004, the Company had $14,995,000 outstanding under the Term Loan and no amounts outstanding under the Working Capital Line.

 

The Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either of the following rates, which may be adjusted in quarterly increments based on the achievement of performance goals: (1) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a debt to EBITDA-dependent rate ranging from 3.25% to 3.75%, or (2) base rate plus a debt to EBITDA-dependent rate ranging from 1.00% to 1.5%. At March 31, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on the Credit Agreement was 8.03%.

 

The Company also pays a letter of credit fee based on the face amount of each letter of credit calculated at the rate per year then applicable to loans under the Credit Agreement bearing interest based on an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a debt to EBITDA-dependent rate ranging from 3.0% to 3.5%. At March 31, 2004, the Company had $1,246,000 committed under outstanding letters of credit.

 

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On February 20, 2004, the Company also retired its existing $10,000,000 senior subordinated debt outstanding with Allied Capital Corporation by issuing the Notes to Blesbok LLC and Mollusk Holdings LLC. The Notes are due August 15, 2009 and bear interest at the rate of 13.25%. The Company may make prepayments on the Notes, in whole or in part, after February 20, 2005.

 

The Credit Agreement and the Notes contain customary covenants and provisions that restrict the Company’s ability to change its business, declare dividends, grant liens, incur additional indebtedness and make capital expenditures. In addition, the Credit Agreement and the Notes provide that the Company must meet or exceed defined amounts for EBITDA and fixed charges and must not exceed leverage ratios.

 

In connection with the issuance of the Credit Agreement and the Notes, the Company incurred $1,300,000 of cost related to legal, investment banking and commitment fees. The fees have been capitalized and will be amortized over the term of the agreements. In addition, the Company expensed $82,000 of unamortized debt fees related to the retirement of the senior subordinated note issued to Allied Capital Corporation.

 

Amendments to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Fleet Bank Retired by the February 20, 2004 Refinancing

 

On September 29, 2003, the Company entered into its sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Fleet Bank. This amendment (i) modified the definition of EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and excludes certain one time charges) to allow for additional non-cash expenses associated with the Company’s Fiscal 2003 and its first quarter Fiscal 2004 results to be excluded from EBITDA, (ii) required a $1,000,000 pay down on the acquisition credit facility, (iii) reduced the working capital line of credit from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000, (iv) required the Company to have a commitment by October 31, 2003 for refinancing of its existing senior credit facility and (v) required that all of the Company’s senior debt be paid off by December 31, 2003. On October 31, 2003, the Company received a commitment letter to refinance its existing debt.

 

On October 24, 2003, the Company and its senior lenders agreed to replace Exhibit I (which defined non-cash charges excluded from the definition of EBITDA) to the sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, to further modify the definition of EBITDA to allow the exclusion of additional non-cash expenses related to certain non-compete and consulting agreements (See Note 3).

 

On May 28, 2003, the Company entered into its fifth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement with Fleet Bank. This amendment (i) waived the Company’s noncompliance with its financial ratios for the periods ending December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003, (ii) reset future required financial covenant ratios, (iii) changed the maturity of the acquisition credit facility to December 31, 2003, (iv) increased the interest rate spread over the prime rate, required a capital infusion of at least $5,000,000 by June 30, 2003, (v) required that a minimum of $4,000,000 of additional capital infusion be received by the Company with the proceeds applied against the acquisition credit facility by August 30, 2003, and (vi) placed a limitation on capital expenditures.

 

In connection with the above amendments, the company incurred $465,000 in fees paid to Fleet Bank which are reflected in interest expense.

 

Issuance of Preferred Stock

 

On September 9, 2003, the Company issued in a private placement an aggregate of 588,236 shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, in exchange for an investment of $3,000,000. The Series F Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of one share of Common Stock for each share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock. Holders of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to dividends, which shall accrue and be paid quarterly in arrears at an annual rate of 5% of the Series F Purchase Price during years 1, 2 and 3. If the average stock price per share during the last 5 days of the third year is greater than $8 per share, then the dividend rate would remain at 5% for years 4 and 5, otherwise it would increase to 8%. Under either scenario, the dividend rate would increase to 12% in year 6. In addition, if during the 12 month period ending June 2004,

 

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the Company’s EBITDA is less than $12,000,000, the dividend rate would increase to 8% until the Company achieves an EBITDA of at least $14,000,000. The dividends will be paid in kind with additional shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock during the first three years, and in cash or in kind, at the option of the Company thereafter. All dividends will be paid prior to and in preference to the Common Stock. Upon liquidation, the holders of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, before any distribution or payment is made upon the Common Stock, the Series F Purchase Price plus any unpaid dividends, plus a liquidation preference equal to the greater of 1.5 times the Series F Purchase Price, or the amount such holders would have received if all shares of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock immediately prior to such liquidation. Each outstanding share of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to .9623 of a vote, subject to adjustment. The proceeds from the issuance of the Series F Convertible Preferred Stock were used for the repayment of debt, to meet certain bank covenants, to meet certain requirements relating to the negotiations for the sixth amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, requirements for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

 

On June 17, 2003 the Company completed a private placement of an aggregate of 1,333,333 shares of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, for a purchase price of $6,000,000. The Series E Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion rate of one share of Common Stock for each Series E Convertible Preferred Stock. The proceeds from the issuance of the Series E Convertible Preferred Stock were used to pay down the Company’s Working Capital Line of Credit by $4,543,000 with the remainder being available for working capital purposes.

 

Conversion of Preferred Stock

 

During the nine months ended March 31, 2004, 90,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into 26,460 shares of common stock and 403,226 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into 100,806 shares of common stock.

 

Sale of Property

 

On August 28, 2003, the Company completed the sale of an owned school located in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area and received net proceeds of $3,935,000. On September 2, 2003, the Company used the proceeds from the sale of the Arizona property to make a required $4,000,000 payment against the acquisition credit facility.

 

As a result of these events and scheduled payments, the total amount outstanding under the Company’s senior credit bank agreements was $14,995,000 at March 31, 2004 as compared to $23,990,000 at June 30, 2003, as shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2004


   June 30,
2003


Term Loan Facility

   $ 14,995    $ 10,714

Acquisition Credit Facilty

     n/a      13,276

Working Capital Credit Facility

     —        —  
    

  

     $ 14,995    $ 23,990
    

  

 

Cash Flow

 

The Company’s principal sources of liquidity are cash flow from operations. In addition, the Company uses third parties and site developers to build new schools and lease them to the Company. Principal uses of liquidity are debt service and capital expenditures related to the maintenance of existing schools.

 

Total cash and cash equivalents decreased by $549,000 from $4,722,000 at June 30, 2003 to $4,173,000 at March 31, 2004. The decrease was primarily related to $4,798,000 in capital expenditures, net repayments on senior and subordinated debt of $9,406,000 and a decrease in cash overdraft of $2,018,000. The use of cash was offset by cash provided from operations totaling $8,666,000 (primarily as a result of depreciation expense of $5,110,000, an increase from unearned income of $1,178,000 and a decrease from accounts receivable of $1,621,000), proceeds from the sale of preferred stock of $2,895,000, $3,935,000 in proceeds from the sale of the Arizona property and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $513,000.

 

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Long-Term Obligations and Commitments

 

The Company has significant commitments under operating lease agreements and has certain contractual obligations. Contractual obligations are those that will require cash payments in accordance with the terms of a contract, such as a loan agreement or lease agreement. The Company’s contractual obligations are as follows: (dollars in thousands)

 

     Total

  

Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2004


   For the Fiscal Year ended June 30,

         2005

   2006

   2007

   2008

   Thereafter

Long term debt and capital lease obligations

   $ 25,933    $ 676    $ 2,393    $ 2,359    $ 2,010    $ 2,000    $ 16,495

Letters of credit

     1,246      1,246                                   

Swap agreement

     617      36      145      436                     

Operating leases

     207,893      6,532      25,151      24,168      22,616      21,159      108,267

Non-competes and consulting contracts

     1,613      113      450      450      300      300       
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 237,302    $ 8,603    $ 28,139    $ 27,413    $ 24,926    $ 23,459    $ 124,762
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Predicting future events is inherently an imprecise activity and as such requires the use of judgment. Actual results may vary from estimates in amounts that may be material to the financial statements.

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. The following accounting policies are considered critical to the preparation of the Company’s financial statements due to the estimation processes and business judgment involved in their application.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Tuition revenues, net of discounts and other revenues are recognized as services are performed. Any tuition payments received in advance of the time period for which service is to be performed is recorded as unearned revenues. Charter school management fees are recognized based on a contractual relationship with the charter school and do not include any tuition revenues received by the charter school. Certain fees may be received in advance of services being rendered, in which case the fee revenue is deferred and recognized over the appropriate period of service. The Company’s net revenues meet the criteria of SAB No. 101, including the existence of an arrangement, the rendering of services, a determinable fee and probable collection.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

The Company’s accounts receivable are comprised primarily of tuition due from governmental agencies and parents. Accounts receivable are presented at estimated net realizable value. The Company uses estimates in determining the collectibility of its accounts receivable and must rely on its evaluation of historical trends, governmental funding processes, specific customer issues and current economic trends to arrive at appropriate reserves. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of bad debt expense if actual experience differs significantly from management estimates.

 

The Company provides its services to the parents and guardians of the children attending the schools. The Company does not extend credit for an extended period of time, nor does it require collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each person’s financial condition. The Company also has investments in other entities. The collectibility of such investments is dependent upon the financial performance of these entities. The Company monitors its exposure for credit losses and maintains allowances for anticipated losses.

 

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Long-lived and Intangible Assets

 

During the first quarter of Fiscal 2003, the Company adopted SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Under the requirements of SFAS No. 144, the Company assesses the potential impairment of property and equipment and identifiable intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An asset’s value is impaired if management’s estimate of the aggregate future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest charges, to be generated by the asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. Such cash flows consider factors such as expected future operating income and historical trends, as well as the effects of demand and competition. To the extent impairment has occurred, the loss will be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over the fair value of the asset. Such estimates require the use of judgment and numerous subjective assumptions, which, if actual experience varies, could result in material differences in the requirements for impairment charges.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, effective July 1, 2001. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill is no longer amortized but will be assessed for impairment at least annually or upon an adverse change in operations. The annual impairment testing required by SFAS No. 142 requires judgments and estimates and could require the Company to write down the carrying value of its goodwill and other intangible assets in future periods.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, in accordance with FAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of “temporary differences” by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rate is recognized as income in the period of enactment. A valuation allowance is recorded based on the uncertainty regarding the ultimate realizability of deferred tax assets.

 

The Company files a U.S. federal income tax return and various state income tax returns, which are subject to examination by tax authorities. This process involves estimating the actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. The Company’s estimated tax liability is subject to change as examinations of specific tax years are completed in the respective jurisdictions including possible adjustments related to the nature and timing of deductions and the local allocation of income.

 

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. The Company is exposed to market risk in the areas of interest rates and interest rate swap agreements.

 

Interest Rates

 

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relate primarily to debt obligations. The Company had no cash flow exposure due to rate changes on its 13.25%, $10,000,000 senior subordinated debt at March 31, 2004, which is a fixed rate. The Company also had no cash flow exposure on certain notes payable, capitalized leases and other subordinate debt agreements aggregating $1,100,000 and $1,731,000 at March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2003, respectively. However, the Company does have cash flow exposure on its Credit Agreement. The Working Capital Line and the Term Loan are subject to variable prime base rate pricing. Accordingly, a 1.0% change in the LIBOR rate and the prime rate would have resulted in interest expense changing by approximately $44,000 and $100,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

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Interest Rate Swap Agreement

 

In connection with the May 2001 amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, the Company entered an interest rate swap agreement in June 2002 on its $15,000,000 Term Loan Facility. The Company uses this derivative financial instrument to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The instrument involves, to varying degrees, market risk, as the instrument is subject to rate and price fluctuations, and elements of credit risk in the event the counterparty should default. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes. At March 31, 2004 the Company’s interest rate swap contract outstanding had a total notional amount of $9,643,000. Under the interest rate swap contract, the Company agrees to pay a fixed rate of 5.46% and the counterparty agrees to make payments based on 3-month LIBOR. The market value of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31, 2004 resulted in a liability of $617,000 and is included as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as $382,000, net of taxes, of which a portion is expected to be reclassified to the consolidated statement of income within one year.

 

On February 20, 2004, the Company transferred it rights under the interest rate swap agreement to Harris Trust and Savings Bank which continues the existence of the interest rate swap. Under the assignment, $9,643,000 of the Term Loan has been allocated to the swap agreement, which retains the same terms and conditions.

 

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2004. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q has been appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, the Company’s disclosure controls were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Part II

 

Other Information

 

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders

 

A. An annual meeting of the stockholders of the Company was held on January 14, 2004. The total shares eligible to vote on the record date included 6,683,869 shares of Common Stock, 983,694 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 2,500,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock 1,352,623 shares of Series E Preferred Stock and 590,032 shares of Series F Preferred Stock. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series E Preferred Stock and Series F Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.294, 0.25, 1.00 and 1.00 shares of Common Stock, respectively. These shares represent a total of 9,540,730 votes.

 

B. At the meeting:

 

  1. Election of Director

 

Two directors (Eugene G. Monaco and Peter Havens) were elected to serve until the 2006 Annual Meeting. The term of office of George H. Bernstein and Daniel L. Russell continues until the 2004 Annual Meeting. The term of office of Steven B. Fink and Joseph W. Harch continues until the 2005 Annual Meeting. The term of office of David L. Warnock continues until the 2006 Annual Meeting.

 

  2. Ratification of Independent Public Accountants

 

The selection of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for fiscal 2004 was approved by the requisite vote.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(A) Exhibits

 

31.1    Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (Filed herewith.)
31.2    Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (Filed herewith.)
32.1    Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Filed herewith.)
32.2    Certifications of the Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant required by Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. (This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Further, this exhibit shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.) (Filed herewith.)

 

(B) Reports on Form 8-K

 

  1. On January 7, 2004, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer. (Items 5 and 7)

 

  2. On January 8, 2004, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the hiring of a Chief Operating Officer. (Items 5 and 7)

 

  3. On February 17, 2004, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing additions to its Board of Directors. (Items 5 and 7)

 

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  4. On February 19, 2004, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing second quarter and six-month revenue and earnings. (Items 5 and 7)

 

  5. On February 25, 2004, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K announcing that:

 

  a. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a senior secured credit facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank. Copies of the agreements with respect to this senior secured credit facility were attached as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.4.

 

  b. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a senior subordinated loan with Mollusk Holdings, LLC and Blesbok LLC. Copies of the agreement with respect to this senior subordinated loan were attached as Exhibits 10.5 through 10.7.

 

  c. The Company announced completion of the foregoing transactions.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

NOBEL LEARNING COMMUNITIES, INC.

Dated: May 14, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas Frank


       

Thomas Frank

       

Chief Financial Officer

       

(duly authorized officer and principal financial officer)

 

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