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globenewswire

School Specialty Reports Fiscal 2009 Second Quarter and Year-to-Date Results

  • Press Release
  • Source: School Specialty, Inc.
  • On 8:30 am EST, Thursday November 20, 2008


 * Second quarter revenue decreased 0.7%; increased 3% excluding
   adoptions
 * Year-to-date revenue decreased 1.3%; increased 2% excluding
   adoptions
 * Essentials segment second quarter revenue increased 8.7%,
   year-to-date revenue increased 2.8%
 * Fiscal 2009 revenue, EPS and cash flow guidance reduced along with 
   an anticipated additional restructuring charge

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GREENVILLE, Wis., Nov. 20, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- School Specialty (NasdaqGS:SCHS - News), a leading education company providing supplemental learning products to the preK-12 market, today reported fiscal 2009 year-to-date and second quarter financial results. The company reported revenue of $769 million for the first six months of the fiscal year, a 1.3 percent decline from the $779 million reported in the same period last year. Excluding an expected decline in adoption revenue for the company's curriculum-based products of $25 million from the prior year, revenue increased 2 percent. Earnings from continuing operations for the fiscal year's first half were $67.4 million compared with $77.5 million reported in the comparable period last year. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the first six months of the fiscal year were $3.55 compared with $3.63 last year, including a $0.05 per share restructuring charge in fiscal 2009 related to the closing of a distribution center.

``We are very proud of the results our associates delivered in these unprecedented economic times and are pleased with the revenue growth in our Essentials segment. Our strong cash flow puts us in a good position to weather the economic storm. While we experienced strong order volume in the early part of quarter two, we did see a slowdown in our order rate during the latter half of the second quarter as schools began to evaluate potential reductions in state funding. We have seen improvement in the order rate in the first few weeks of November,'' said David J. Vander Zanden, Chief Executive Officer.

Vander Zanden continued, ``We are monitoring the financial condition of all states very closely and evaluating the impact the stress of the economy will have on them. While many states are predicting budget deficits in the current fiscal year, actual reductions to date in school funding have been minor. We are reacting to their concerns by implementing very tight cost controls and by accelerating our category management integration plan.''

``We expect reductions in fixed SG&A expenses over the next 12 months of approximately $20 million, and will take an additional restructuring charge of approximately $2.5 million in our third quarter. We are preparing ourselves for a continued cautious approach to spending by our customers for the balance of this year and next year, as well as an estimated reduction in adoption revenue of $25 million in fiscal 2010 due to fewer state adoptions available next year,'' said Vander Zanden.

Second Quarter Financial Results

Revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 was $390.3 million, a 0.7 percent decrease from fiscal 2008's second quarter revenue of $392.9 million. This decline was attributable to an expected $15 million decrease in state adoption revenue, which has been partially offset by growth of 8.7 percent in the Essentials segment. Second quarter revenue grew 3 percent, excluding adoption revenue for both years. The company believes this comparison is meaningful because state adoption revenue will have significant variability between years due to the cyclical nature of curriculum adoptions, which are based on schedules established by individual states. Specialty segment revenue, which includes revenue from state adoptions, was down $16.4 million, or 7.0 percent, from $233.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to $217.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. The Specialty segment revenue decline was less than 1 percent after adjusting for the adoption revenue. Essentials segment revenue was up 8.7 percent from $160.1 million in last year's second quarter to $174.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. This increase was attributable to a combination of stronger furniture sales related to new school construction projects, as well as a shift in order fulfillment from the first quarter into the second quarter due to the timing of orders.

Gross profit was $159.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 compared with $167.5 in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Gross margin declined 180 basis points from 42.6 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to 40.8 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. Approximately 80 basis points of this decline was related to product mix between the Specialty and Essentials segments. Specialty segment gross margin in this year's second quarter declined 60 basis points from the second quarter of last year primarily due to mix within the segment, particularly related to the reduction in curriculum-based state adoption revenue. Essentials segment gross margin declined 170 basis points from the second quarter of last year. Approximately 70 basis points of the Essentials gross margin decline was due to a higher mix of furniture, which historically has carried lower gross margins as the product is shipped direct from vendors. The remaining 100 basis point decrease was attributable primarily to commodity cost increases and is an improvement of 50 basis points from the first quarter of this year.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $0.4 million from $99.7 million, or 25.4 percent of revenue, in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to $100.1 million, or 25.6 percent of revenue, in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. SG&A includes a $1.7 million restructuring charge, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the current year's second quarter associated with the closing of the company's Lyons, NY, distribution center. Higher transportation and other operating costs have been offset by decreased variable compensation costs related to performance-based compensation plans.

Earnings from continuing operations decreased $4.7 million in the second quarter from $37.0 million in fiscal 2008 to $32.3 million in fiscal 2009. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 2.8 percent from $1.76 in fiscal 2008 to $1.71 in fiscal 2009. The company's stock repurchases over the past year have benefited second quarter diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.15 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2008. Net income was $32.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to $36.6 million in fiscal 2008, which also included a net of tax loss of $0.4 million, or $0.02 loss per diluted share, for the discontinued School Specialty Media business sold during fiscal 2008.

Six Months Financial Results

Revenue for the first six months of fiscal 2009 was $769.1 million, down $10.3 million, or 1.3 percent, from $779.4 million in the first six months of fiscal 2008. The reduction was attributable to a $25 million decline in the company's state adoption revenue of its curriculum-based products during the first six months of fiscal 2009 compared with the first six months of fiscal 2008. Excluding state adoptions, revenue in the first half of fiscal 2009 grew approximately 2 percent over the first half of fiscal 2008. Specialty segment revenue, including state adoptions, declined $20.6 million in the first six months of fiscal 2009 from $457.1 million to $436.5 million. Excluding adoptions, Specialty revenue grew 1.2 percent in the first half of this year. The Essentials segment revenue for the first six months of fiscal 2009 grew 2.8 percent from $326.3 million to $335.5 million. This increase was attributable primarily to increased furniture orders associated with school construction projects.

Gross margin declined by 170 basis points in the first six months of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2008, from 43.7 percent to 42.0 percent. Approximately 40 basis points of the decline in gross margin was related to a higher mix of revenue from Essentials. Specialty segment gross margin declined 60 basis points from the first half of fiscal 2008 to the first half of fiscal 2009. The decrease in Specialty segment gross margin is related primarily to mix due to the reduction in curriculum adoption revenue. Essentials gross margin declined 220 basis points for the first six months of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2008. The decrease is attributable to product mix of 60 basis points due to higher furniture sales, with the remainder due to commodity cost increases and transportation increases.

SG&A expenses increased $1.2 million during the first six months of fiscal 2009 to $201.1 million, or 26.1 percent of revenue, from $199.9 million, or 25.6 percent of revenue in the first six months of fiscal 2008. SG&A expenses in fiscal 2009 reflected the $1.7 million charge related to the Lyons, NY, distribution center closing. Higher transportation costs in fiscal 2009 have been offset by reductions in variable selling costs associated with state adoption revenue, as well as reduced performance-based variable compensation costs.

Operating income in the first six months of fiscal 2009 was 15.9 percent of revenue as compared to 18.1 percent of revenue in the first six months of fiscal 2008. Earnings from continuing operations decreased 13.1 percent from $77.5 million in the first six months of fiscal 2008 to $67.4 million in fiscal 2009.

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations decreased 2.2 percent from $3.63 in fiscal 2008 to $3.55 in fiscal 2009, including a $0.05 per share restructuring charge in fiscal 2009 related to the distribution center closing. The percentage decline in diluted earnings per share was less than the percentage decline in income from continuing operations due to the reduction in the shares outstanding associated with share repurchases over the past year. The incremental diluted earnings per share in the first half of fiscal 2009 as compared to the first half of fiscal 2008 due to the share repurchases was approximately $0.35 per share.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009 the company repurchased 497,600 shares for a net purchase price of $15.3 million. The company did not purchase any shares during the second quarter. As of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the company has remaining authority to purchase $34.7 million of outstanding common stock.

Outlook

School Specialty is reducing its fiscal 2009 free cash flow guidance to a range of $70 million to $80 million from the previous range of $80 million to $90 million. Both ranges exclude approximately $11 million of additional free cash flow expected to be received in fiscal 2009 related to cash tax savings from the sale of School Specialty Media in late fiscal 2008. The company also is reducing its prior revenue guidance to a range of $1,065 million to $1,080 million from a range of $1,077 million to $1,110 million, and expects total year adoption revenue to decline by $27 million compared to fiscal 2008. Previous guidance for diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $2.27 to $2.43 per share, which excluded an estimated restructuring charge of $0.04 per share, is being lowered to a range of $2.04 to $2.24, which excludes a restructuring charge of approximately $0.14 per share for the year. The company incurred a restructuring charge of $0.05 per diluted share in the second quarter and expects the balance of the charge to be incurred in the third quarter.

Conference Call

School Specialty will host a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2009 second quarter financial results. The conference call begins today, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. Central (11:00 a.m. Eastern). The call will be simultaneously broadcast in the Investor Information section of the School Specialty web site at http://www.schoolspecialty.com, and a replay of the call will be available.

About School Specialty, Inc.

School Specialty is a leading education company that provides innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to help educators engage and inspire students of all ages and abilities to learn. The company designs, develops, and provides preK-12 educators with the latest and very best curriculum, supplemental learning resources, and school supplies. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential.

For more information about School Specialty, visit http://www.schoolspecialty.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information

Any statements made in this press release about future results of operations, expectations, plans or prospects, including but not limited to statements included under the heading ``Outlook,'' constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include those preceded or followed by the words ``anticipates,'' ``believes,'' ``could,'' ``estimates,'' ``expects,'' ``intends,'' ``may,'' ``should,'' ``plans,'' ``targets'' and/or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on School Specialty's current estimates and assumptions and, as such, involve uncertainty and risk. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements because of a number of factors, including the factors described in Item 1A of School Specialty's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 26, 2008, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Except to the extent required under the federal securities laws, School Specialty does not intend to update or revise the forward-looking statements.



                       SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                              Unaudited

                                Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                ------------------  ------------------
                                Oct. 25,  Oct. 27,  Oct. 25,  Oct. 27,
                                  2008      2007      2008      2007
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

 Revenues                       $390,306  $392,919  $769,100  $779,432
 Cost of revenues                231,189   225,378   445,981   438,523
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Gross profit                   159,117   167,541   323,119   340,909
 Selling, general and
  administrative expenses        100,089    99,711   201,106   199,856
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Operating income                59,028    67,830   122,013   141,053

 Other (income) expense:
  Interest expense                 4,569     4,955     9,462    10,287
  Interest income                   (141)       (6)     (220)      (14)
  Other                            1,534     2,507     2,089     3,716
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
 Income before provision for
  income taxes                    53,066    60,374   110,682   127,064
 Provision for income taxes       20,807    23,418    43,277    49,528
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Earnings from continuing
   operations                     32,259    36,956    67,405    77,536

  Loss from operations of
   discontinued School Specialty
   Media business unit, net of
   income taxes                       --      (402)       --      (661)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------

  Net income                    $ 32,259  $ 36,554  $ 67,405  $ 76,875
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Weighted average shares
  outstanding:
  Basic                           18,785    20,434    18,813    20,784
  Diluted                         18,900    20,966    19,002    21,366

 Basic earnings per share of
  common stock:
  Earnings from continuing
   operations                   $   1.72  $   1.81  $   3.58  $   3.73
  Loss from discontinued
   operations                         --     (0.02)       --     (0.03)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Total                         $   1.72  $   1.79  $   3.58  $   3.70
                                ========  ========  ========  ========

 Diluted earnings per share of
  common stock:
  Earnings from continuing
   operations                   $   1.71  $   1.76  $   3.55  $   3.63
  Loss from discontinued
   operations                         --     (0.02)       --     (0.03)
                                --------  --------  --------  --------
  Total                         $   1.71  $   1.74  $   3.55  $   3.60
                                ========  ========  ========  ========


                       SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                           (In Thousands)

                                    October 25,  April 26,  October 27,
                                       2008        2008        2007
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
                                    (Unaudited)             (Unaudited)
 ASSETS
 Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents         $    9,683  $    4,034  $    4,611
  Accounts receivable                  192,809      77,591     198,826
  Inventories                          129,474     149,548     142,134
  Deferred catalog costs                11,006      14,845      12,668
  Prepaid expenses and other
   current assets                       21,143      18,857      17,454
  Refundable income taxes                   --       9,288          --
  Deferred taxes                        16,275      15,726      10,344
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total current assets                380,390     289,889     386,037
 Property, plant and equipment, net     71,841      77,311      76,532
 Goodwill                              530,300     543,630     544,245
 Intangible assets, net                172,208     176,771     179,631
 Other                                  28,160      29,726      25,013
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total assets                     $1,182,899  $1,117,327  $1,211,458
                                    ==========  ==========  ==========

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
  EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
  Current maturities - long-term
   debt                             $  133,654  $  133,628  $  133,609
  Accounts payable                      48,389      64,340      51,704
  Accrued compensation                  16,354      19,476      19,677
  Deferred revenue                       4,679       6,641       6,965
  Accrued income taxes                  22,021          --      32,580
  Other accrued liabilities             37,127      30,593      33,517
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total current liabilities           262,224     254,678     278,052
 Long-term debt - less current
  maturities                           314,675     312,210     311,528
 Deferred taxes                         80,643      70,671      55,903
 Other liabilities                         794       1,080         850
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total liabilities                   658,336     638,639     646,333
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------

 Commitments and contingencies
 Shareholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par value
   per share, 1,000,000 shares
   authorized; none outstanding             --          --          --
  Common stock, $0.001 par value per
   share, 150,000,000 authorized and
   24,206,938; 23,631,135 and
   23,589,151 shares issued,
   respectively                             24          24          24
  Capital paid-in excess of par
   value                               390,835     380,073     376,431
  Treasury stock, at cost -
   5,420,210; 4,922,610 and
   3,380,802 shares, respectively     (186,637)   (171,387)   (121,419)
  Accumulated other comprehensive
   income                                8,116      25,158      29,515
  Retained earnings                    312,225     244,820     280,574
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total shareholders' equity          524,563     478,688     565,125
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total liabilities and
    shareholders' equity            $1,182,899  $1,117,327  $1,211,458
                                    ==========  ==========  ==========


                       SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                           (In Thousands)
                              Unaudited

                                                   Six Months Ended
                                                ----------------------
                                                October 25, October 27,
                                                   2008        2007
                                                ----------  ----------
 Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                    $   67,405  $   76,875
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation and intangible asset
    amortization expense                            12,043      12,480
   Amortization of development costs                 3,502       5,748
   Amortization of debt fees and other               1,019       1,016
   Share-based compensation expense                  2,389       2,844
   Deferred taxes                                    9,423       5,659
   Loss (gain) on disposal of property,
    equipment and other                                677          (8)
   Changes in current assets and liabilities
    (net of assets acquired and liabilities
    assumed in business combinations):
    Accounts receivable                           (117,308)   (131,668)
    Inventories                                     19,938      35,382
    Deferred catalog costs                           3,839       2,180
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets        7,675         959
    Accounts payable                               (17,322)    (25,788)
    Accrued liabilities                             27,626      50,446
                                                ----------  ----------
     Net cash provided by operating activities      20,906      36,125
                                                ----------  ----------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
  Additions to property, plant and equipment        (5,115)     (7,530)
  Proceeds from disposal of discontinued
   operations                                        2,235          --
  Investment in product development costs           (4,055)     (5,443)
  Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and
   equipment                                           109          33
                                                ----------  ----------
     Net cash used in investing activities          (6,826)    (12,940)
                                                ----------  ----------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from bank borrowings                    441,600     405,700
  Repayment of debt and capital leases            (439,109)   (387,292)
  Purchase of treasury stock                       (15,250)    (44,911)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options            2,647       4,840
  Excess income tax benefit from exercise of
   stock options                                     1,681         703
                                                ----------  ----------
     Net cash used in financing activities          (8,431)    (20,960)
                                                ----------  ----------

 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents           5,649       2,225
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period      4,034       2,386
                                                ----------  ----------
 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period       $    9,683  $    4,611
                                                ==========  ==========

 Free cash flow reconciliation:
  Net cash used in operating activities         $   20,906  $   36,125
  Additions to property and equipment               (5,115)     (7,530)
  Investment in development costs                   (4,055)     (5,443)
  Proceeds from disposal of property and
   equipment                                           109          33
                                                ----------  ----------
  Free cash flow                                $   11,845  $   23,185
                                                ==========  ==========


                       School Specialty, Inc.
    Segment Analysis - Revenues and Gross Profit/Margin Analysis
                      2nd Quarter, Fiscal 2009
                             (In thousands)
                              Unaudited

 Segment Revenues and Gross Profit/Margin Analysis-QTD
 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                         % of Revenues
                                                        --------------
                                                         2Q09    2Q08
                2Q09-QTD  2Q08-QTD  Change $  Change %   -QTD    -QTD
                --------  --------  --------  --------  ------  ------
 Revenues
  Specialty     $217,378  $233,730  $(16,352)  -7.0%     55.7%   59.5%
  Essentials     174,063   160,129    13,934    8.7%     44.6%   40.8%
  Corporate and
   Interco Elims  (1,135)     (940)     (195)            -0.3%   -0.3%
                --------  --------  --------            ------  ------
   Total
    Revenues    $390,306  $392,919  $ (2,613)  -0.7%    100.0%  100.0%
                ========  ========  ========            ======  ======


                                                          % of Gross
                                                            Profit
                                                        --------------
                                                         2Q09    2Q08
                2Q09-QTD  2Q08-QTD  Change $  Change %   -QTD    -QTD
                --------  --------  --------  --------  ------  ------
 Gross Profit
  Specialty     $108,556  $117,976  $ (9,420)  -8.0%     68.2%   70.4%
  Essentials      50,117    48,820     1,297    2.7%     31.5%   29.1%
  Corporate and
   Interco Elims     444       745      (301)             0.3%    0.5%
                --------  --------  --------            ------  ------
    Total Gross
     Profit     $159,117  $167,541  $ (8,424)  -5.0%    100.0%  100.0%
                ========  ========  ========            ======  ======


 Segment Gross Margin Summary-QTD
 --------------------------------

 Gross Margin   2Q09-QTD  2Q08-QTD
                --------  --------
  Specialty         49.9%     50.5%
  Essentials        28.8%     30.5%
   Total Gross
    Margin          40.8%     42.6%


 Segment Revenues and Gross Profit/Margin Analysis-YTD
 -----------------------------------------------------
                                                        % of Revenue
                                                        --------------
                                                         2Q09    2Q08
                2Q09-YTD  2Q08-YTD  Change $  Change %   -YTD    -YTD
                --------  --------  --------  --------  ------  ------
 Revenues
  Specialty     $436,459  $457,061  $(20,602)  -4.5%     56.7%   58.6%
  Essentials     335,495   326,260     9,235    2.8%     43.6%   41.9%
  Corporate and
   Interco Elims  (2,854)   (3,889)    1,035             -0.3%   -0.5%
                --------  --------  --------            ------  ------
   Total
    Revenues    $769,100  $779,432  $(10,332)  -1.3%    100.0%  100.0%
                ========  ========  ========            ======  ======


                                                          % of Gross
                                                            Profit
                                                        --------------
                                                         2Q09    2Q08
                2Q09-YTD  2Q08-YTD  Change $  Change %   -YTD    -YTD
                --------  --------  --------  --------  ------  ------
 Gross Profit
  Specialty     $222,039  $235,557  $(13,518)  -5.7%     68.7%   69.1%
  Essentials     100,336   104,768    (4,432)  -4.2%     31.1%   30.7%
  Corporate and
   Interco Elims     744       584       160              0.2%    0.2%
                --------  --------  --------            ------  ------
   Total Gross
    Profit      $323,119  $340,909  $(17,790)  -5.2%    100.0%  100.0%
                ========  ========  ========            ======  ======


 Segment Gross Margin Summary-YTD
 --------------------------------

 Gross Margin   2Q09-YTD  2Q08-YTD
                --------  --------
  Specialty         50.9%     51.5%
  Essentials        29.9%     32.1%
   Total Gross
    Margin          42.0%     43.7%

Contact:

          School Specialty
David Vander Ploeg, Executive VP and CFO
920-882-5854
Communications & Investor Relations
Mark Fleming
920-882-5646

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