UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

OR

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                      TO                     

Commission File Number: 000-24385

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

W6316 Design Drive

Greenville, Wisconsin 54942

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(920) 734-5712

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports 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  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

-Index-

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands, except share and per share amounts)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are normal and recurring in nature unless otherwise noted) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The balance sheet at December 30, 2017 has been derived from School Specialty, Inc.’s (“School Specialty” or the “Company”) audited financial statements for the period ended December 30, 2017. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 30, 2017.

NOTE 2 – INCREASED AUTHORIZED SHARES AND STOCK-SPLIT

At the Special Meeting of Stockholders of School Specialty, Inc. (the “Company”) held on August 15, 2017, the Company’s stockholders voted on a proposal to approve the proposed amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”) from 2,000 to 50,000 shares (the “Amendment”) for the purpose of, among other things, effecting a seven-for-one stock split of the Common Stock as part of the Amendment. Our condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes, and other financial data contained in this report have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the increased authorization and stock split for all periods presented.

NOTE 3 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU No. 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheet. The new guidance requires that all leases create an asset and a liability for the lessee in accordance with FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements. Subequently, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements.” ASU 2018-11 offers alternative comparative reporting requirements for initial adoption. Under ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” companies are required to adopt the new standard using a modified retrospective transition method. Under this method, a company initially applies the standard at the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements (which was January 1, 2017 for the Company). As such, entities would be required to recognize lease assets and liabilities for all leases even though they may have expired prior to the effective date. Since this method has been costly and complex to implement, the FASB has provided an additional transition method that allows entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the effective date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Consistent with ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” this guidance will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt the standard beginning in fiscal 2019. The Company expects to elect the new transition method permitted by ASU 2018-11. While the Company is still beginning to assess the effect of adoption, it expects that the new standard will have a material effect on its consolidated balance sheet related to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for non-employee stock based compensation. Specifically, stock based compensation to non-employees is now measured on the grant date by estimating the fair value of the equity compensation to be issued. Entities should remeasure non-employee stock based compensation only for those not settled as of the measurement date through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual periods, but no earlier than the entity’s adoption date of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

7

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effect from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2018-02 permits a company to reclassify the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) on items within accumulated other comprehensive income or loss (AOCI-L) to retained earnings. Because most items that are charged to AOCI-L are recorded net of applicable income taxes, the subsequent reclassification of these items from AOCI-L to the statement of operations will be at different income tax rates due to the Tax Act, thereby leaving a “stranded” tax balance within AOCI-L. ASU 2018-02 will allow a company to transfer these “stranded” amounts from AOCI-L to retained earnings. ASU 2018-02 will be effective for the Company at the beginning of fiscal 2019, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting.” ASU 2017-09 amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, and early adoption is permitted for interim or annual periods. The adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 4 – CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU No. 2014-09 provides guidance for revenue recognition. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance within this standard must be applied using either of the following transition methods: (1) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients; or (2) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting the standard recognized at the date of adoption (which requires additional footnote disclosures). The Company chose to adopt ASC 606 using the modified retrospective approach applied to contracts not completed as of the date of adoption. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard, net of tax, as an increase of $2,722 to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative financial information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for that period. We do not expect the adoption of the new revenue standard to have a material impact on our net income on an ongoing basis.

Revenue is recognized upon the satisfaction of performance obligations, which occurs when control of the good or service transfers to the customer. Approximately 98% of the Company’s consolidated revenues are related to the sale of products. Under our standard contracts or purchase orders received from customers, the only performance obligation is the shipment of products. Revenue for products is recognized and the customer is invoiced when the control of the product transfers to the customer, which is generally when the product is shipped. The Company determines the time at which transfer and control of products has passed to its customers, and the time at which it is able to invoice the customers, based on review of contracts, sales agreements and purchase orders. Payment terms are generally established to be 30 days from the shipment date. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers for all material performance obligations.

The Company provides its customers an implicit right of return for full or partial refund. Prior to the adjustment for ASC 606, the Company reflected the right of return in accounts receivable. Under ASC 606, the Company has reclassified this right of return from accounts receivable into a combination of a refund liability, included within other accrued liabilities for the gross return or credit, and other current assets for the assumed value of the returned product.

8

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Variable consideration is accounted for as a price adjustment (sales adjustment). Examples of variable consideration that affect the Company’s reported revenue include implicit rights of return and trade promotions. Implicit rights of return are typically contractually limited, amounts are estimable based upon historic return levels, and the Company records provisions for anticipated returns at the time revenue is recognized. Trade promotions are offered to cooperatives and end users through various programs, generally with terms of one year or less. Such promotions typically involve rebates based on annual purchases. Payment of incentives generally take the form of cash and are paid according to the terms of their agreement, typically within a year. Rebates are accrued as sales occur based on the program rebate rates.

Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are included in revenues when control of the goods and services transfers to the customer. Shipping and handling is arranged with third party carriers in connection with delivering goods to customers. Amounts billed to customers for sales tax are not included in revenues.

The Company typically does not have contracts with significant financing components as payments are generally received within 60 days from the time of completion of the performance obligations. Cost incurred to obtain contracts are settled within 12 months of contract inception. Our accounting policy under ASC 606 remains consistent with past accounting policy whereby such costs are expensed as incurred.

In the analysis of the revenue streams, the Company identified three areas for which the timing of revenue recognition would change.

9

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The Company also evaluated its catalog costs under the new revenue recognition standard and determined that its catalog costs should be treated as costs incurred to obtain contracts. Since catalog costs are incurred regardless of whether specific customer contracts or purchase orders are obtained, catalog costs are now expensed as incurred. Under the prior guidance, the Company capitalized catalog costs and amortized over the period within which revenues attributable to the catalogs were generated, which was generally one year or less. The impact of this change resulted in lower catalog expense in SG&A by $2,906 in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. This reduction reflects the difference between catalog costs incurred during the period and the catalog amortization expense prior to adopting ASC 606. The cumulative impact of this change year to date during fiscal 2018 was lowered catalog costs in SG&A of $379.

10

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated condensed balance sheet on December 31, 2017 (the first day of our fiscal 2018) for the adoption of the new revenue standard was as follows:

11

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The cumulative effect of the adjustments to our September 29, 2018 condensed consolidated statement of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of ASC 606 were as follows:

12

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The below table shows the Company’s disaggregated revenues for the three months and nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Revenues from the sale of products comprise the significant portion of revenues in all product categories in the above table. The product revenues associated with the above disaggregated revenues are recorded when control of goods or services are transferred to the customer. The Furniture category includes installation revenues that are recorded over time as installation services are incurred. The Instruction & Intervention category includes subscription revenues which are recognized over the subscription period, typically twelve months. All product categories are impacted by school budget funding.

The Company had a contract liability balance of $6,177 as of December 31, 2017, after the cumulative effects related to the adoption of ASC 606. During the nine months ended September 29, 2018, the Company recognized into revenues $5,656, which had been included in the contract liability balance as of December 31, 2017.

NOTE 5 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On August 18, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of the assets of Triumph Learning, LLC (“Triumph Learning”) pursuant to the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 18, 2017 (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among School Specialty and Triumph Learning, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. School Specialty acquired all the assets of Triumph Learning for $20,376 plus the assumption of certain liabilities. At closing, $18,114 of the total purchase price was paid using the Company’s existing debt facilities (see Note 12 – Debt). The Company drew $14,000 from the delayed draw term loan feature of its New Term Loan (as defined in Note 12) and drew $4,114 from its ABL Facility (as defined in Note 12) to fund this portion of the purchase price. In November 2017, the Company paid $912 as a final working capital adjustment, which was funded through the Company’s ABL Facility. The remaining purchase price in excess of the cash paid at closing represents the discounted fair value of the contingent portion of the purchase price. The contingent portion of the purchase price is 4.5% of net Triumph Learning revenues from certain Triumph Learning products over the period August 18, 2017 through December 18, 2018, subject to a maximum consideration of $1.5 million. The contingent portion of the purchase price is scheduled to be paid quarterly over the above-mentioned period, and $343 of this contingent obligation was paid in the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, $282 was paid in the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, and $191 was paid in the third quarter ended September 29, 2018. The maximum present value of the contingent portion of the purchase price is $1,350. The Company accounted for this acquisition as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805.

13

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Triumph Learning is a publisher of state-specific assessment preparation, and supplemental and intervention curriculum products for the K-12 education market. For over 25 years, Triumph Learning’s flagship product, Coach, has been utilized throughout education, providing educational facilities and teachers with hands-on test preparation books for English and Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science and Social Studies, with materials customized to state-specific best practices, along with a comprehensive series of supplemental and intervention resources for Math, ELA and Science. Solutions are delivered through multiple platforms, including both print and digital, as well as through third-party platforms and applications. Triumph Learning’s products are complementary to School Specialty’s current offering and others that it intends to bring to market, as it expands its product offering in the Instruction & Intervention category. There are also significant potential synergies beyond the product offering as the Company anticipates the acquisition will result in a broader and more effective selling organization and an extended customer reach that will enable the Company to deliver a true blended learning solution to its customers.

School Specialty incurred acquisition and integration costs of $1,504 in the first, second, and third quarters of 2018 and $3,203 in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2017 related to the Triumph Learning acquisition. These costs included legal, due diligence and integration-related costs and are recorded as SG&A.

The Company engaged a third party to complete a full valuation of the assets, including any identified intangible assets of Triumph Learning. The table below summarizes the fair value amounts of the $20,376 of net assets acquired.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated results in the following table include the Company’s reported results for each respective period and the historical results of Triumph Learning for those periods. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 give effect to the acquisition of Triumph Learning as if it had occurred at the beginning of the period presented.

Anticipated synergies from the combined operations have not been incorporated into the pro forma results as synergies were preliminary at the beginning of the pro forma period presented. Net income does reflect the incremental interest expense which would have been incurred if the acquisition had been completed at the beginning of the period presented.

14

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

CONDENSED COMBINED PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

NOTE 6 – INCOME TAXES

The Company files income tax returns with the U.S., various U.S. states, and foreign jurisdictions. The most significant tax return the Company files is with the U.S. The Company’s tax returns are no longer subject to examination by the U.S. for fiscal years before 2015. The Company has various state tax audits and appeals in process at any given time. It is not anticipated that any adjustments resulting from tax examinations or appeals would result in a material change to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company has net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $3,400 for federal and approximately $3,400 for state. The federal NOL begins to expire in 2037. In December 2017, the Tax Act was enacted into law, significantly changing income tax law that affects U.S. corporations. Key changes included a corporate tax rate reduction from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018, expensing of certain qualified property, significant changes to the U.S international tax system such as a one-time transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings, and how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax. Due to the timing of the Tax Act and additional guidance and interpretations that may be issued in the future, the Company has not completed its analysis of the effects of the Tax Act as it relates to the one-time transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings. The Company has estimated the impact of the one-time transition tax to be between zero and $725. The final determination of the one-time transition tax within this range will be based upon an analysis of the amount of foreign tax credit that is able to be utilized against this tax. The Company expects to complete this analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. For the period ended December 30, 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $704 associated with the re-measurement of deferred taxes for the corporate rate reduction and a provisional tax provision of zero for the one-time transition tax. The provisional estimates will be adjusted during the measurement period of twelve months from the initial date of the Tax Act, defined under SAB 118, based upon the Company’s ongoing analysis of its data and tax positions along with new guidance from regulators and interpretations of the law.

The Company has considered the effect of U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 382 on our ability to utilize existing net operating losses and foreign tax credit carryforwards. Section 382 imposes limits on the amount of tax attributes that can be utilized where there has been an ownership change as defined under the Code. The Company has determined that an ownership change occurred in fiscal 2013 that was subject to Section 382. Due to the application of Section 382, certain federal and state deferred tax attributes, such as foreign tax credits, were subject to future limitation.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company decreased its valuation allowance by approximately $1,700. Based on the Company’s trend of positive earnings before tax plus projections of the future earnings before tax we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the tax benefit associated with $1,700 of net deferred tax assets. As of December 30, 2017, the Company continued to maintain a valuation allowance of $7,263 against its foreign tax

15

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

credits and capital loss carryovers based on projections that reflect minimal to zero foreign source income and capital gains. The Company previously had concluded that the realization of substantially all its deferred tax assets did not meet the more likely than not threshold and recorded a tax valuation allowance due to the lack of taxable income. As of September 29, 2018, the Company had an immaterial amount of unremitted earnings from foreign investments.

The balance of the Company’s liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, net of federal tax benefits, at September 29, 2018, December 30, 2017, and September 30, 2017, was $569, $172, and $169, respectively, all of which would have an impact on the effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not expect any material changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. The Company classifies accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in its consolidated statements of operations. The amounts of accrued interest and penalties included in the liability for uncertain tax positions are not material.

NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Changes in condensed consolidated stockholders’ equity during the nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, were as follows:

16

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

NOTE 8 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings Per Share

The following information presents the Company’s computations of basic earnings per share (“basic EPS”) and diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) for the periods presented in the condensed consolidated statements of operations:

The Company had weighted average stock options outstanding of 647 and 714 for the three months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively, which were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. The Company had weighted average stock options outstanding of 690 and 651 for the nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively, which were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive.

The Company had weighted average restricted stock units outstanding of 285 and 232 for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2018, respectively. The Company had weighted average restricted stock units outstanding of 196 for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017.

17

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

For the three month period ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, 222 and 171 of the restricted stock units were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive. For the nine month periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, 168 and 174, respectively, of the restricted stock units were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were anti-dilutive.

On August 15, 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of School Specialty common stock from 2,000 shares to 50,000 shares, for the purpose of, among other things, effecting a seven-for-one stock split of School Specialty’s shares. The stock split became effective on August 23, 2017, and the number of outstanding shares of School Specialty stock increased from 1,000 to 7,000. All previously stated values have been restated to adjust for this seven-for-one stock split.

NOTE 9 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

As of September 29, 2018, the Company had one share-based employee compensation plan: the School Specialty, Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”). The 2014 Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on April 24, 2014 and approved on September 4, 2014 by the Company’s stockholders. On June 12, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2014 Plan, which increased the number of shares available under the 2014 Plan by an additional 700 shares.

Options

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (“Compensation Committee”) granted 238 stock option awards during the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 to members of management including its CEO as compared to zero stock option awards for the nine months ended September 29, 2018. The options awarded to the Company’s CEO will vest as to one-fourth of the options on the first four anniversaries of the date of the award. The options that were awarded to the other members of management will vest as to one-half of the options on the second anniversary of the date of the award and as to one-fourth of the options on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the award date. The Company did not grant stock option awards during the three and nine month periods ended September 29, 2018.

The fair-value of the options granted in the nine month period ended September 30, 2017 was $10.14 per share. The fair value of the options is estimated on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes single option pricing model. The assumptions included a risk-free rate of 1.92%, expected volatility of 59% and an expected term of 6.4 years. There were zero stock options granted in the three month period ended September 30, 2017.

18

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

A summary of option transactions for the nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were as follows:

The weighted average life remaining of the stock options outstanding as of September 29, 2018 was 6.6 years and as of September 30, 2017 was 7.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units

On June 18, 2018, the Compensation Committee granted an aggregate of 109 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) under the Company’s 2014 Plan to members of the Company’s senior management, with an aggregate value of $19.38 per share. The RSUs have time-based vesting provisions, with one-third of the RSUs vesting on each March 15 of 2019, 2020 and 2021. In addition, the Compensation Committee granted an aggregate of 15 RSUs under the 2014 Plan to each of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors, with an aggregate value of $19.38 per share. The RSUs have time-based vesting provisions, with all of the RSUs vesting on June 18, 2019.

On March 23, 2016, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company granted an aggregate of 196 RSUs under the Company’s 2014 Plan to members of the Company’s senior management. The RSUs are performance-based. A certain percentage of the RSUs will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, with such percentage based on the 15 day Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s common stock prior to the vesting date. The percentage of RSUs that will vest shall be determined as follows:

Due to the nature of the vesting conditions of the RSUs, a valuation methodology needed to incorporate potential equity value paths for the Company. As such, the fair value of the RSU grants was determined under a Monte Carlo approach with a simulation of the Company’s stock price to a date that is 15 trading days prior to the vesting date.

19

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

A large number of trials were run under the Monte Carlo approach to ensure an adequate sampling of different potential scenarios was achieved. Based on this approach, the fair value of the RSUs granted on March 23, 2016 was $11.55 per share. Any RSUs that vest will be settled in shares of Company common stock.

Stock Appreciation Rights

On May 28, 2014, the Board granted 39 stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to each of the non-employee members of the Board under the 2014 Plan. On September 28, 2015, the Board granted 39 SARs to each of the two new non-employee members of the Board. On January 17, 2018, the Board granted 39 SARs to its new non-employee member of the Board. Each SAR has a grant date value of $18.57 and will be settled in cash upon exercise. As such, the SARs are accounted for as liability awards. As the Company’s stock trading price was less than each SAR’s exercise price as of September 29, 2018, expense of $99 recorded for the SARs during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was effectively reversed as of September 29, 2018 based on the trading price of the stock on that date. The SARs vested as to one-half of the SARs on the second anniversary of the date of grant and vested as to one-fourth of the SARs on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant. In the second quarter of 2018, 39 of the outstanding SARs were exercised by a member of the Board and $31 of expense was recognized. Total SARs that remain outstanding as of September 29, 2018 are 154.

The following table presents the share-based compensation expense recognized for the three and nine month periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017:

The stock-based compensation expense is reflected in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company records actual forfeitures in the period the forfeiture occurs. During the third quarter of fiscal 2018, 63 stock options were forfeited, resulting in negative stock-based compensation expense during the period. Stock-based compensation expense associated with stock options and RSUs are non-cash expenses which are recorded to additional paid in capital. Stock-based compensation expense associated with SARs must be cash-settled and are recorded to other accrued liabilities until settled.

20

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The total unrecognized share-based compensation expense as of September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was as follows:

NOTE 10 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following tables present details of the Company’s intangible assets, including the estimated useful lives, excluding goodwill:

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SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

The gross values were determined by valuations performed either as part of fresh start accounting or the acquisition of Triumph Learning. In addition to the intangible assets above, the Company recorded $26,842 of goodwill. This includes $5,253 of goodwill associated with the purchase price allocation for the Triumph Learning acquisition.

Intangible asset amortization expense was included in selling, general and administrative expense. Intangible asset amortization expense for the three month periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, was $939 and $901, respectively. Intangible asset amortization expense for the nine month periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, was $2,918 and $2,702, respectively.

Intangible asset amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is expected to be as follows:

The table below shows the allocation of the recorded goodwill as of September 29, 2018 for both the reporting units and reporting segments.

NOTE 11 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

Depreciation expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $3,275 and $2,052 and $10,689 and $6,723, respectively.

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SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

NOTE 12 – DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

ABL Facility

On June 11, 2013, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “ABL Facility”) by and among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as Agent, SunTrust Bank, as Syndication Agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, and the Lenders that are party to the Asset-Based Credit Agreement (the “Asset-Based Lenders”).

Under the ABL Facility, the Asset-Based Lenders agreed to provide a revolving senior secured asset-based credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $175,000. On August 7, 2015, the aggregate commitments were permanently reduced, at the election of the Company, by $50,000, from $175,000 to $125,000.

Outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s election: (1) a base rate (equal to the greatest of (a) the prime lending rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 1.00% per annum) (the “Base Rate”) plus an applicable margin (equal to a specified margin based on the interest rate elected by the Company, the fixed charge coverage ratio under the ABL Facility and the applicable point in the life of the ABL Facility (the “Applicable Margin”)), or (2) a LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Margin (the “LIBOR Rate”). Interest on loans under the ABL Facility bearing interest based upon the Base Rate will be due monthly in arrears, and interest on loans bearing interest based upon the LIBOR Rate will be due on the last day of each relevant interest period or, if sooner, on the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such interest period.

In November 2014, the Company amended the ABL Facility. The main purpose for the amendment was to provide the Company additional flexibility in its execution of certain restructuring actions by increasing the cap on the amount that may be added back under the definition of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expenses relating to earn outs or similar obligations.

In September 2015, the Company amended the ABL Facility. The main purposes for the amendment were to reduce the Applicable Margin for base rate and LIBOR loans, reduce the unused line fee rate and extend the scheduled maturity date. As amended, the maturity date was extended to September 16, 2020, which would have automatically become March 12, 2019 unless the Company’s term loan facility had been repaid, refinanced, redeemed, exchanged or amended prior to such date, in the case of any refinancing or amendment, to a date that was at least 90 days after the scheduled maturity date. In addition, the amendment provided for the withdrawal of Sun Trust Bank as a lender and the assumption of its commitments by the remaining lenders.

On April 7, 2017, the Company executed the Third Amendment to its ABL Facility (the “Third Amendment”). The ABL Amendment provided a new lower pricing tier of LIBOR plus 125 basis points, a seasonal increase in the borrowing base of 5.0% of eligible accounts receivable for the months of March through August, and the inclusion of certain inventory in the borrowing base, which previously had been excluded. Additionally, certain conforming

23

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

changes were made in connection with the entry into the New Term Loan Agreement (as defined below). The Third Amendment extends the maturity of the ABL Facility, as amended, to April 7, 2022 (“ABL Termination Date”), provided that the ABL Termination Date will automatically become February 7, 2022 unless the New Term Loan (as defined below) has been repaid, prepaid, refinanced, redeemed, exchanged, amended or otherwise defeased or discharged prior to such date.

On August 9, 2018, the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment to the ABL Facility (the “Fourth Amendment”) in order to: (1) update the definition of “Change of Control” set forth in the ABL Facility, and (2) update the definition of “Specified Unsecured Prepetition Debt” and associated provisions set forth in the ABL Facility. The Fourth Amendment deletes the reference to “35%” in the “Change of Control” definition and inserts “50%” in its place. The Company amended this provision of the ABL Facility in order to ensure certain shareholders with large positions did not put the Company in violation of the terms within its loan agreements. The ABL Facility also amended and restated the definition “Specified Unsecured Prepetition Debt” in order to increase the cap on amounts prepaid because the original cap set forth therein was less than the amount due at maturity due to the fiscal 2017 revised interpretation of the interest calculation methodology pursuant to the bankruptcy Reorganization Plan (as defined in the ABL Facility).

Pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of April 7, 2017 (the “ABL Security Agreement”), the Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the subsidiary borrowers. Under the New Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below), the ABL Lenders have a first priority security interest in substantially all working capital assets of the Company and the subsidiary borrowers, and a second priority security interest in all other assets, subordinate only to the first priority security interest of the New Term Loan Lenders (as defined below) in such other assets.

The effective interest rate under the ABL Facility for the three months ended September 29, 2018 was 4.78%, which includes interest on borrowings of $932, amortization of loan origination fees of $104 and commitment fees on unborrowed funds of $28. The effective interest rate under the ABL Facility for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was 3.65%, which includes interest on borrowings of $474, amortization of loan origination fees of $104 and commitment fees on unborrowed funds of $47.

The effective interest rate under the ABL Facility for the nine months ended September 29, 2018 was 5.46%, which includes interest on borrowings of $1,470, amortization of loan origination fees of $312 and commitment fees on unborrowed funds of $209. As of September 29, 2018, the outstanding balance on the ABL Facility was $85,800. The effective interest rate under the ABL Facility for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 5.21%, which includes interest on borrowings of $736, amortization of loan origination fees of $403 and commitment fees on unborrowed funds of $246. As of September 30, 2017, the outstanding balance on the ABL Facility was $53,392. The Company has estimated that the fair value of its ABL Facility (valued under level 3) as of September 29, 2018 approximated the carrying value of $85,800.

The Company may prepay advances under the ABL Facility in whole or in part at any time without penalty or premium. The Company will be required to make specified prepayments upon the occurrence of certain events, including: (1) the amount outstanding on the ABL Facility exceeding the Borrowing Base (as determined in accordance with the terms of the ABL Facility), and (2) the Company’s receipt of net cash proceeds of any sale or disposition of assets that are first priority collateral for the ABL Facility.

The Asset-Based Credit Agreement contains customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to a springing financial covenant relating to the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio and restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions and dividends and other restricted payments.

24

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Term Loan

On June 11, 2013, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) among the Company, Credit Suisse AG, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the Lenders defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Lenders”). In November 2014, the Company amended the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The main purpose for the amendment was to provide the Company additional flexibility in its execution of certain restructuring actions by increasing the cap on the amount that may be added back under the definition of consolidated EBITDA for non-recurring, unusual or extraordinary charges, business optimization expenses or other restructuring charges or reserves and cash expenses relating to earn outs or similar obligations.

Under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Lenders agreed to make a term loan (the “Term Loan”) to the Company in aggregate principal amount of $145,000, including an original issue discount of $2,900. The outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable LIBOR rate (with a 1% floor) plus 8.50%, or the base rate plus a margin of 7.50%. Interest on loans under the Term Loan Credit Agreement bearing interest based upon the base rate were due quarterly in arrears, and interest on loans bearing interest based upon the LIBOR Rate were due on the last day of each relevant interest period or, if sooner, on the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such interest period.

The remaining principal amount of the Term Loan, plus accrued interest, was repaid in full on April 7, 2017, and the Term Loan Credit Agreement was terminated on April 7, 2017.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement contained customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to quarterly financial covenants, relating to the Company’s (1) minimum interest coverage ratio and (2) maximum net total leverage ratio and restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions and dividends and other restricted payments. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the loan during the period of time in which the loan was outstanding during fiscal 2017.

The Term Loan required the Company to enter into an interest rate hedge, within 90 days of its effective date, in an amount equal to at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan. The purpose of the interest rate hedge was to effectively subject a portion of the Term Loan to a fixed or maximum interest rate. As such, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement on August 27, 2013 that effectively fixed the interest payments on a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt. The swap, which terminated on September 11, 2016, effectively fixed the LIBOR-based interest rate on the debt in the amount of the notional amount of the swap at 9.985%. The Company did not enter into a subsequent interest rate swap after the termination of the above-mentioned interest rate swap.

Under this swap agreement, the Company paid the counterparty interest on the notional amount at a fixed rate per annum of 1.485% and the counterparty paid the Company interest on the notional amount at a variable rate per annum equal to the greater of 1-month LIBOR or 1.0%. The notional amounts did not represent amounts exchanged by the parties, and thus were not a measure of exposure of the Company.

New Term Loan

On April 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “New Term Loan Agreement”) among the Company, as borrower, certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, the financial parties party thereto, as lenders (the “New Term Loan Lenders”) and TCW Asset Management Company LLC, as the agent.

Under the New Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Lenders agreed to make a term loan (the “New Term Loan”) to the Company in aggregate principal amount of $140,000. The initial draw on the New Term Loan at closing was $110,000. These proceeds, along with proceeds received from a draw on the ABL Facility (as defined below), were used to repay the Term Loan which had a remaining principal balance including accrued interest of $118,167. The New Term Loan Agreement provides for a delayed draw feature that allows the Company to draw up to an additional $30,000 through April 7, 2019. The ability to access the delayed draw commitment is subject to

25

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

compliance with certain terms and conditions. The proceeds from the delayed draw can be used to fund distributions, permitted acquisitions, and repayments of existing indebtedness. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company drew $14,000 under the delayed draw term loan feature in conjunction with the Triumph Learning acquisition. At the Company’s option, the New Term Loan interest rate will be either the prime rate or the LIBOR rate (with a LIBOR floor of 1.0%), plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s net senior leverage ratio. The Company may specify the interest rate period of one, three or six months for interest on loans under the New Term Loan Agreement bearing interest based on the LIBOR rate.

The New Term Loan matures on April 7, 2022. The New Term Loan requires scheduled quarterly principal payments of 0.625% of the original principal amount which commenced June 30, 2017 and continue through the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Subsequent to March 31, 2019, the scheduled quarterly principal payments are 1.250% of the original principal amount. Required scheduled quarterly principal payments on borrowings under the delayed-draw feature begin in the quarter following a draw on this feature. In addition to scheduled quarterly principal repayments, the New Term Loan Agreement requires prepayments at specified levels upon the Company’s receipt of net proceeds from certain events, including but not limited to certain asset dispositions, extraordinary receipts, and the issuance or sale of any indebtedness or equity interests (other than permitted issuances or sales). The New Term Loan Agreement also requires prepayments at specified levels from the Company’s excess cash flow. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company made a $7,801 repayment of principal based on fiscal 2017 excess cash flow. The Company is also permitted to voluntarily prepay the New Term Loan in whole or in part. Voluntary prepayments made before April 7, 2018 will be subject to an early prepayment fee of 2.0%, while any voluntary prepayment made on or after April 7, 2018, but before April 7, 2019, will be subject to a 1.0% early prepayment fee. Voluntary prepayments made on or after April 7, 2019 will not be subject to an early payment fee. All prepayments of the loans will be applied first to that portion of the loans comprised of prime rate loans and then to that portion of loans comprised of LIBOR rate loans. The New Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default and financial, affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to quarterly financial covenants commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2017 relating to the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio and net senior leverage ratio, and an annual limitation on capital expenditures and product development investments, collectively.

On August 9, 2018, the Company entered into the First Amendment (the “First Term Loan Amendment”) of its New Term Loan Agreement dated April 7, 2017 in order to: (1) update the definition of “Change of Control” set forth in the New Term Loan Agreement, and (2) update the definition of “Specified Unsecured Prepetition Debt” and associated provisions set forth in the New Term Loan Agreement. The First Term Loan Amendment deletes the reference to “35%” in the “Change of Control” definition and inserts “50%” in its place. The Company amended this provision of the New Term Loan Agreement in order to accomodate certain shareholders of the Company with large positions. The New Term Loan Agreement also amended and restated the definition “Specified Unsecured Prepetition Debt” in order to increase the cap on amounts prepaid because the original cap set forth therein was less than the amount due at maturity due to the fiscal 2017 revised interpretation of the interest calculation methodology pursuant to the bankruptcy Reorganization Plan (as defined in the New Term Loan Agreement).

Pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of April 7, 2017 (the “New Term Loan Security Agreement”), the New Term Loan is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors. Under an intercreditor agreement (the “New Intercreditor Agreement”) between the New Term Loan Lenders and the ABL Lenders, the New Term Loan Lenders have a second priority

26

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

security interest in substantially all working capital assets of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors, subordinate only to the first priority security interest of the ABL Lenders in such assets, and a first priority security interest in all other assets.

The effective interest rate under the New Term Loan for the three months ended September 29, 2018 was 8.95%, which includes interest on borrowings of $2,362 and amortization of loan origination fees of $183. The effective interest rate under the New Term Loan for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was 8.28%, which includes interest on borrowings of $2,235 and amortization of loan origination fees of $172.

The effective interest rate under the New Term Loan for the nine months ended September 29, 2018 was 8.73%, which includes interest on borrowings of $7,102 and amortization of loan origination fees of $541. As of September 29, 2018, the outstanding balance on the New Term Loan Credit Agreement was $111,725. Of this amount, $4,650 was reflected as currently maturing, long-term debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2017, the outstanding balance on the New Term Loan Credit Agreement was $122,625. Of this amount, $2,750 was reflected as currently maturing, long-term debt in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company has estimated that the fair value of its New Term Loan (valued under Level 3) as of September 29, 2018 approximated the carrying value of $111,725.

Following the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2018 the Company determined that the adoption of ASC 606 for purposes of calculating its fixed cost coverage ratio under the New Term Loan was required to maintain compliance with such ratio in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. On November 7, 2018, the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment of the ABL Agreement and the Second Amendment of the New Term Loan Agreement effective as of September 29, 2018 to, among other things, give effect to ASC 606 for the purpose of the computation of any financial covenant retroactive to December 31, 2017, as further discussed under “Note 17- Subsequent Events.” As of September 29, 2018, the Company is in compliance with its financial covenants under the ABL Agreement and New Term Loan Agreement, as amended, and believes it will maintain compliance with these covenants over the next twelve months.

Deferred Cash Payment Obligations

In connection with the previously disclosed 2013 Reorganization Plan, general unsecured creditors are entitled to receive a deferred cash payment obligation of 20% of the allowed claim in full settlement of the allowed unsecured claims. Such payment accrues quarterly paid-in-kind interest of 5% per annum beginning on June 11, 2013 (the “Effective Date”). Trade unsecured creditors had the ability to make a trade election to provide agreed upon customary trade terms. If the election was made, those unsecured trade creditors received a deferred cash payment obligation of 45% of the allowed claim in full settlement of those claims. As of the Effective Date, the deferred payment obligations under the trade elections began to accrue quarterly paid-in-kind interest of 10% per annum. All deferred cash payment obligations, along with interest paid-in-kind, are payable in December 2019.

The Company’s reconciliation of general unsecured claims was completed in fiscal 2015. As of September 29, 2018, the Company’s deferred payment obligations were $24,457, of which $3,094 represents a 20% recovery for the general unsecured creditors and $12,095 represents a 45% recovery for those creditors who elected to provide the Company standard trade terms with the remaining $9,268 related to accrued paid-in-kind interest.

The Company has estimated that the fair value of its Deferred Cash Payment Obligations (valued under Level 3) approximates $24,365 as of September 29, 2018. The Company estimated the fair value for its Deferred Cash Payment Obligations based upon the net present value of future cash flows using the discount rate that is consistent with our New Term Loan.

27

SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

NOTE 13 – CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss during the nine months ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were as follows: