UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006

 

¨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 0-32613

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware 77-0559897

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2 Lower Ragsdale Drive

Monterey, CA

 93940
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (831) 333-2000

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filerfiler” and large“large accelerated filerfiler” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨                    Accelerated filer  ¨                    Non-accelerated filer  x

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, $.01 par value, 9,055,935 shares outstanding as of August 8,November 9, 2006.

 



EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Forward-Looking Statements  1

PART I:

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION  2

Item 1.

  Financial Statements  2

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  1213

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk  1718

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures  1819

PART II:

  OTHER INFORMATION  2122

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings  2122

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors  2122

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  2223

Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities  2223

Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders  2223

Item 5.

  Other Information  2223

Item 6.

  Exhibits  2223

SIGNATURE

  2324


Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other materials filed or to be filed by Excelligence Learning Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information in oral statements and other written statements made or to be made by the Company) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary language noting important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and include information relating to:

 

plans for future expansion and other business development activities, as well as other capital spending;

 

financing sources and the effects of regulation;

 

competition;

 

the outcome of pending legal or administrative proceedings;

 

protection of the Company’s intellectual property; and

 

consummation of pending business transactions.

As such, actual results may vary materially from those projected, anticipated or indicated in any forward-looking statements. The Company has based its forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information that may be made by or on behalf of the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent the Company is required to do so.

When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other statements made by or on behalf of the Company, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “could” and other similar words or expressions, which are predictions of or indicative of future events, conditions and trends, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its subsidiaries, and, except as set forth in “Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors” of thisthe Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have not changed since the Company filed its 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

the Company’s ability to diversify product offerings or expand in new and existing markets;

 

changes in general economic and business conditions and in the educational products, catalog or e-retailing industry in particular;

 

the impact of competition, specifically, if competitors were to either adopt a more aggressive pricing strategy than the Company or develop a competing line of proprietary products;

 

the level of demand for the Company’s products;

 

fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could potentially result in a weaker U.S. dollar in overseas markets, increasing the Company’s cost of inventory purchased; and

 

other factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part II of thisthe Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q might not occur.

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements.

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except for par value and share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

  June 30,
2006
 

December 31,

2005*

   September 30,
2006
 

December 31,

2005*

 

ASSETS

      

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $1,563  $9,862   $9,296  $9,862 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $246 and $348 at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

   11,458   6,383 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $282 and $348 at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

   18,546   6,383 

Inventories

   36,113   22,018    19,930   22,018 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   3,039   2,614    4,529   2,614 

Deferred income taxes

   877   885    850   885 
              

Total current assets

   53,050   41,762    53,151   41,762 
              

Property and equipment, net

   4,387   4,362    4,164   4,362 

Deferred income taxes

   4,574   4,558    4,347   4,558 

Other assets

   230   246    318   246 

Goodwill

   5,878   5,878    5,878   5,878 

Other intangible assets, net

   485   571    441   571 
              

Total assets

  $68,604  $57,377   $68,299  $57,377 
              

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current liabilities:

      

Revolving line of credit

  $4,000  $—   

Accounts payable

   12,531   6,462   $5,252  $6,462 

Accrued expenses

   4,359   4,300    5,264   4,300 

Income taxes payable

   5,004   —   

Other current liabilities

   422   210    629   210 
              

Total current liabilities

   21,312   10,972    16,149   10,972 
              

Stockholders’ equity:

      

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized; 9,052,035 and 9,036,199 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

   90   90 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized; 9,052,035 and 9,036,199 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

   90   90 

Additional paid-in capital

   64,134   63,834    64,199   63,834 

Accumulated deficit

   (16,932)  (17,519)   (12,139)  (17,519)
              

Total stockholders’ equity

   47,292   46,405    52,150   46,405 
              

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $68,604  $57,377   $68,299  $57,377 
              

 

*Derived from audited consolidated financial statements filed in the Company’s 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 

Six Months Ended

June 30,__

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  2006 2005 2006 2005   2006 2005 2006 2005 

Revenues

  $32,867  $29,780  $57,827  $52,359   $61,038  $57,092  $118,865  $109,451 

Cost of goods sold

   20,474   19,833   36,169   34,291    39,040   37,337   75,209   71,628 
                          

Gross profit

   12,393   9,947   21,658   18,068    21,998   19,755   43,656   37,823 
                          

Operating expenses:

          

Selling, general and administrative

   9,843   8,758   20,630   17,637    13,055   11,882   33,685   29,519 

Amortization of intangible assets

   43   43   87   87    43   43   130   130 
                          

Operating income

   2,507   1,146   941   344    8,900   7,830   9,841   8,174 
                          

Other (income) expense:

          

Interest expense

   42   53   42   58    60   78   102   136 

Interest income

   (26)  (24)  (95)  (35)   (56)  (29)  (151)  (64)
                          

Income before income tax

   2,491   1,117   994   321    8,896   7,781   9,890   8,102 

Income tax

   999   419   407   62    4,104   3,342   4,510   3,404 
                          

Net income

  $1,492  $698  $587  $259   $4,792  $4,439  $5,380  $4,698 
                          

Net income per share calculation:

          

Net income per share – basic

  $0.16  $0.08  $0.06  $0.03   $0.53  $0.49  $0.59  $0.52 
                          

Net income per share – diluted

  $0.16  $0.07  $0.06  $0.03   $0.50  $0.47  $0.56  $0.50 
                          

Weighted average shares used in basic net income per share calculation

   9,047,346   8,941,992   9,043,195   8,934,155    9,055,681   9,002,284   9,047,403   8,957,114 

Weighted average shares used in diluted net income per share calculation

   9,539,439   9,370,485   9,530,641   9,338,575    9,608,289   9,376,253   9,557,182   9,306,546 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 
  2006 2005   2006 2005 

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

  $587  $259   $5,380  $4,698 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   1,068   912    1, 704   1,382 

Allowance for (recovery of ) doubtful accounts

   (102)  (226)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   66   (158)

Stock-based compensation

   136   292    208   214 

Deferred income taxes

   91   34    246   2,412 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities assumed in acquisition:

   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   

Accounts receivable

   (4,973)  (3,251)   (12,229)  (7,578)

Inventories

   (14,095)  (18,366)   2,088   (2,223)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (425)  957    (1,915)  2,006 

Other assets

   16   6    (72)  (36)

Accounts payable

   6,069   12,371    (1,210)  1,752 

Accrued expenses

   59   (458)   964   748 

Income taxes payable

   5,004   —   

Other current liabilities

   212   67    419   91 
              

Net cash used in operating activities

   (11,357)  (7,403)

Net cash provided by operating activities

   653   3,308 
              

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchase of property and equipment

   (1,007)  (899)   (1,290)  (1,094)
              

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings on line of credit

   4,000   5,000    4,000   8,000 

Bank overdraft

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

   
 
—  
15
 
 
  
 
485
—  
 
 

Principal payments on line of credit

   (4,000)  (8,000)

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

   16   —   

Exercise of employee stock options

   50   160    55   349 
              

Net cash provided by financing activities

   4,065   5,645    71   349 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (8,299)  (2,657)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (566)  2,563 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   9,862   2,657    9,862   2,657 
              

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $1,563  $—     $9,296  $5,220 
              

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Cash payments during the period for:

      

Interest

  $15  $28   $74  $114 

Income taxes

  $235  $100   $316  $173 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1) The Business

(1)The Business

Excelligence Learning Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is a developer, manufacturer and retailer of educational products, which are sold to child care programs, preschools, elementary schools and consumers. The Company was incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 6, 2000 for the purpose of effecting the combination (the “Combination”) of the businesses of Earlychildhood LLC, a California limited liability company (“Earlychildhood”), and SmarterKids.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SmarterKids.com”). The Company’s business is primarily conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Earlychildhood, Educational Products, Inc., a Texas corporation (“EPI”), and Marketing Logistics, Inc., a Minnesota corporation dba Early Childhood Manufacturers’ Direct (“ECMD”). Through a predecessor entity, the Company began operations in 1985. The Company utilizes multiple sales, marketing and distribution channels, and is supported by a national sales force, which, as of September 30, 2006, numbered 59 people.

The Company operates in two business segments: Early Childhood and Elementary School. The Early Childhood segment includes the brand names Discount School Supply, ECMD andEarlychildhood NEWS. The Early Childhood segment develops, manufactures and sells educational products through multiple distribution channels to early childhood professionals and, to a lesser extent, consumers. The Early Childhood segment also provides information to teachers and other education professionals regarding the development of children from infancy through age eight. The Elementary School segment, conducted through EPI, sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations for fundraising activities.

Entry into the Merger Agreement

On July 19, 2006, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with ELC Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and ELC Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Parent agreed to acquire the Company and its subsidiaries through the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving entity. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company will be converted into the right to receive $13.00 in cash.

The Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others, the approval of the Merger by an affirmative vote of the majority of the holders of the Company’s shares of common stock. In addition, the obligation of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other, to consummate the Merger is subject to the material accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and material compliance of the other party with its covenants and agreements. It is anticipated that the Merger will close during the fourth quarter of 2006. The foregoing descriptions of the Merger and the Merger Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 25, 2006 as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K.

Seasonality

The Company’s seasonal sales trends coincide with the start of each school year. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, 43% of the Company’s consolidated annual sales were generated in the third calendar quarter. The Company’s working capital needs are greatest during the first and second quarters as inventory levels are increased to meet seasonal demands.

(2) Basis of Presentation

(2)Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and 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 generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are normal and recurring in nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The balance sheet at December 31, 2005 was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. For further information, refer to

the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 requires that the Company recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position if it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective as of the beginning of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year, with the cumulative effect, if any, of the change in accounting principal recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB reached a consensus on Issue No. 06-3,How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross versus Net Presentation)Presentation)(EITF 06-3). The consensusEITF 06-3 is effective, through retrospective application, for periods beginning after December 15, 2006.

The Company does not expect that the adoption of EITF 06-3 will have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the SEC released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108,Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108), which provides the staff’s views regarding the process of quantifying financial statement misstatements, such as assessing both the carryover and reversing effects of prior year misstatements on the current year financial statements. SAB 108 is effective for years ending after November 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact if the adoption of adopting EITF 06-3SAB 108 on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

(3) Stock-Based Compensation

(3)Stock-Based Compensation

Adoption of SFAS No. 123R

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with the issuance of stock options in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R,Share-Based Payment, and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and as allowed by SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.

The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method pursuant to SFAS No. 123R, and consequently has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with stock-based compensation recognized in the firstthird quarter and sixnine months of fiscal year 2006 now includes: (a) quarterly and year-to-date amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all stock-based compensation awards granted prior to January 1, 2006, based

on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123; and (b) quarterly and year-to-date amortization related to all stock option awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.

The compensation expense for stock based compensation awards includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the expected term of the options using the straight-line method. As a result ofDue to the Company’s low historical forfeiture experience and after a review of its current option holders, the Company did not anticipate any future forfeitures of options held by its current option holders at the date of adoption. As a result, the Company recorded no cumulative effect adjustment for estimated forfeitures for previously-issued stock options upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123R.

Impact of the Adoption of SFAS No. 123R

As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 the Company’s income from continuing operations before income taxes was $78,000$57,000 and $151,000$208,000 lower, respectively, and the Company’s net income was $72,000$51,000 and $141,000$192,000 lower, respectively, than what would have been recorded under the Company’s previous accounting methodology for stock-based compensation. The impact on basic earnings per share was $(0.01) and $(0.02) per share, respectively. The impact on diluted earnings per share was $(0.01) and $(0.01)$(0.02) per share, respectively.

Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123R, the Company presented all tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options as

operating cash flows in the statement of cash flows. Excess tax benefits are realized tax benefits from tax deductions for exercised options in excess of the book compensation recognized for such options. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123R, $7,000 and $15,000$16,000 of excess tax benefits for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 respectively, have been classified as a financing cash inflow. Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 was $45,000$5,000 and $50,000,$55,000, respectively. Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the three and sixnine month periodsperiod ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 was $25,000 and $160,000, respectively.$349,000. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for stock-based compensation costs was $6,000 and $10,000$16,000 for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for stock-based compensation costs was $32,000$23,000 and $65,000$92,000 for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, respectively.

Valuation Assumptions

The Company’s stock option plans provide its employees and directors the right to purchase common stock at the fair market value of such shares on the grant date. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, 2.1 million shares were authorized under these plans, and 790,596 shares were available for issuance. The Company issues shares upon the exercise of stock options from such shares authorized and available under the plans. The stock options generally cliff vest 33% at the end of each year over a period of three years. The contract term of the options is ten years.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. The Company granted zero and 2,000 stock options with an aggregate fair value of $12,000 during the quarter and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, respectively, and the Company granted 19,000zero stock options during the quarter and 29,000 stock options with an aggregate fair value of $100,000 during the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005.

The assumptions used for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 are presented below:

 

   Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
   June 30,
2006
  June 30,
2005
  June 30,
2006
  June 30,
2005
 

Volatility

  72.30% 80.6% 73.3% 82.1%

Risk-free interest rate

  5.02% 4.07% 4.79% 4.04%

Dividend yield

  0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Expected life

  5.8  6.0  5.8  6.0 

The Company has applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R to record stock-based employee compensation in the form of stock options. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2006, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense for awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of, January 1, 2006, as if the fair value method required for pro forma disclosure under SFAS No. 123 were in effect for expense recognition purposes, adjusted for estimated future forfeitures. For these awards, the Company has continued to recognize compensation expense using a straight-line amortization method. Stock-based awards of 2,000 options were granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006. When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers trends of actual option forfeitures. The impact on the Company’s results of operations of recording stock-based compensation for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2006 was an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $78,000 and $151,000, respectively (before tax benefit).

   Nine Months Ended 
   September 30, 2006  September 30, 2005 

Volatility

  73.1% 81.0%

Risk-free interest rate

  4.86% 4.06%

Dividend yield

  0.0% 0.0%

Expected life

  5.6  6.0 

Stock-based Payment Award Activity

The following table summarizes activity under the Company’s stock option plans for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006

(in (in thousands, except per share and year amounts):

 

  Number of
Shares
 Weighted Average
Exercise Price ($)
  Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(Years)
  Aggregate Intrinsic
Value of In-The
Money Options ($)
  Number of
Shares
 

Weighted

Average
Exercise
Price ($)

  

Weighted

Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)

  Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
of In-The
Money
Options ($)

Outstanding, January 1, 2006

  748  $2.51  6.2  $3,373  748  $2.51  6.2  $3,373

Granted

  —     —    —      —     —    —     —  

Exercised

  (4) $1.38  6.1    (4) $1.38  6.1   —  

Cancelled/Forfeited/Expired

  (8) $1.41  5.8    (8) $1.41  5.8   —  
                  

Outstanding, March 31, 2006

  736  $2.53  5.9  $3,876  736  $2.53  5.9  $3,876

Exercisable, March 31,2006

  652  $2.21  5.6  $3,646

Vested and Exercisable, March 31,2006

  652  $2.21  5.6  $3,646

Granted

  2  $7.90  9.9    2  $7.90  9.9   —  

Exercised

  (12) $3.84  6.4    (12) $3.84  6.4   —  

Cancelled/Forfeited/Expired

  —    $0.51  —      —    $0.51  —     —  
                  

Outstanding, June 30, 2006

  726  $2.52  5.7  $4,051  726  $2.52  5.7  $4,051

Exercisable, June 30, 2006

  656  $2.25  5.4  $3,835

Vested and Exercisable, June 30,2006

  656  $2.25  5.4  $3,835

Granted

  —     —    —     —  

Exercised

  (4) $1.38  5.6   —  

Cancelled/Forfeited/Expired

  (1) $1.98  —     —  

Outstanding, September 30, 2006

  721  $2.52  5.4  $4,051

Vested and Exercisable, September 30,2006

  656  $2.25  5.1  $3,835

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock for the options that were in-the-money at JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005. Options with an aggregate intrinsic valueAs of $52,000 and $110,000 were exercised during the six month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, the aggregate intrinsic value, determined as of the date of options exercised under the Company’s stock option plan, was $78,000 and $465,000, respectively. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, there was approximately $204,000$147,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock award plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.10.8 years.

Pro forma Information for Periods Prior to the Adoption of SFAS No. 123R

Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company provided the disclosures required under SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.Stock-based compensation expense using the intrinsic value method as allowed under SFAS No. 123 was reflected in the Company’s results of operations in the amount of $54,000,$51,000, net of tax, and $105,000,$156,000, net of tax, for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005, respectively. Forfeitures of awards were recognized as they occurred.

The pro forma information for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005 was as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

  Three Months  Six Months  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2005
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005

Net income, as reported

  $698  $259  $4,439  $4,698

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income loss, net of related tax effects

   48   97

Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects

   32   129

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method, net of related tax effects

   54   105   51   156
      

Pro forma net income

  $692  $251  $4,420  $4,671
      

Net income per share:

        

Basic, as reported

  $0.08  $0.03  $0.49  $0.52

Diluted, as reported

  $0.07  $0.03  $0.47  $0.50

Basic, pro forma

  $0.08  $0.03  $0.49  $0.52

Diluted, pro forma

  $0.07  $0.03  $0.47  $0.50

Weighted average shares used in net income per share calculation, basic

   8,941,992   8,934,155   9,002,284   8,957,114

Weighted average shares used in net income per share calculation, diluted

   9,370,485   9,338,575   9,376,253   9,306,546

(4) Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

(4)Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share

The basic and diluted net income per share information for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):

  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2006  2005  2006  2005  2006  2005  2006  2005

Numerator:

                

Net income

  $1,492  $698  $587  $259  $4,792  $4,439  $5,380  $4,698

Denominator:

                

Denominator for basic net income per common share:

   9,047,346   8,941,992   9,043,195   8,934,155   9,055,681   9,002,284   9,047,403   8,957,114

Basic net income per common share

  $0.16  $0.08  $0.06  $0.03  $0.53  $0.49  $0.59  $0.52
                        

Denominator for diluted net income per common share:

   9,539,439   9,370,485   9,530,641   9,338,575   9,608,289   9,376,253   9,557,182   9,306,546

Diluted net income per common share

  $0.16  $0.07  $0.06  $0.03  $0.50  $0.47  $0.56  $0.50
                        

Dilutive shares comprised stock options for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.2005.

The following potential shares of common stock have been excluded from the computation of diluted net lossincome per common share because the effect of including these shares would have been anti-dilutive:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30,
   2006  2005  2006  2005

Options to purchase common stock

  5,156  5,156  7,156  82,156
   Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   2006  2005  2006  2005

Options to purchase common stock

  —    5,156  7,156  15,156

The weighted-average exercise price of options to purchase common stock excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share was $10.67 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2005. The quarter ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.had no exclusions. The weighted-average exercise price of options to purchase common stock excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share was $9.90$10.67 and $6.22$7.68 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

(5) Segment Information

(5)Segment Information

The Company operates in two business segments, the Early Childhood segment and the Elementary School segment. The Early Childhood segment includes the brand names Discount School Supply, ECMD andEarlychildhood NEWS. The Early Childhood segment develops, manufactures and sells educational products through multiple distribution channels to early childhood professionals and parents. The Early Childhood segment also provides information to teachers and other education professionals regarding the development of children from infancy through age eight. The Elementary School segment sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations for fundraising activities.

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Revenues and operating income (loss) by segment follows (in thousands):

 

  Early Childhood  Elementary School Consolidated  Early Childhood  Elementary School  Consolidated
  Three Months Ended June 30,  Three Months Ended September 30,
  2006  2005  2006 2005 2006  2005  2006  2005  2006  2005  2006  2005

Net revenues

  $27,300  $24,643  $5,567  $5,137  $32,867  $29,780  $40,146  $36,484  $20,892  $20,608  $61,038  $57,092

Cost of goods sold

   16,761   16,112   3,713   3,721   20,474   19,833   25,500   23,382   13,540   13,955   39,040   37,337
                                    

Gross profit

   10,539   8,531   1,854   1,416   12,393   9,947   14,646   13,102   7,352   6,653   21,998   19,755
                                    

Operating expenses:

                      

Selling, general, and administrative

   8,030   6,971   1,813   1,787   9,843   8,758   10,811   9,871   2,244   2,011   13,055   11,882

Amortization of intangible assets

   8   8   35   35   43   43   8   8   35   35   43   43
                                    

Operating income (loss)

  $2,501  $1,552  $6  $(406) $2,507  $1,146

Operating income

  $3,827  $3,223  $5,073  $4,607  $8,900  $7,830
                                    
  Early Childhood  Elementary School Consolidated  Early Childhood  Elementary School  Consolidated
  Six Months Ended June 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2006  2005  2006 2005 2006  2005  2006  2005  2006  2005  2006  2005

Net revenues

  $50,700  $45,744  $7,127  $6,615  $57,827   52,359  $90,845  $82,229  $28,020  $27,222  $118,865  $109,451

Cost of goods sold

   31,433   29,570   4,736   4,721   36,169   34,291   56,932   52,952   18,277   18,676   75,209   71,628
                                    

Gross profit

   19,267   16,174   2,391   1,894   21,658   18,068   33,913   29,277   9,743   8,546   43,656   37,823
                                    

Operating expenses:

                      

Selling, general, and administrative

   16,862   13,848   3,768   3,789   20,630   17,637   27,673   23,719   6,012   5,800   33,685   29,519

Amortization of intangible assets

   16   16   71   71   87   87   24   24   106   106   130   130
                                    

Operating income (loss)

  $2,389  $2,310  $(1,448) $(1,966) $941  $344

Operating income

  $6,216  $5,534  $3,625  $2,640  $9,841  $8,174
                                    

The Early Childhood segment performs limited administrative activities, including certain accounting and information system functions, on behalf of the Elementary School segment and charges the Elementary School segment for such activities. These inter-segment charges are based on estimates of actual costs for such activities. Inter-segment charges, which are included as a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Early Childhood segment and an increase in such expenses in the Elementary School segment in the tables above, have been eliminated in consolidation and amounted to $128,000 for the three month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, and $256,000$384,000 for the sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005.

The Company had no customer comprising greater than 10% of its revenue or accounts receivable as of and for the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 or 2005. The segment asset information available is as follows (in thousands):

 

  June 30,
2006
 December 31,
2005
   September 30, 2006 December 31, 2005 

Assets

      

Early Childhood

  $58,099  $51,327   $56,649  $51,327 

Elementary School

   21,815   17,360    22,960   17,360 

Eliminations

   (11,310)  (11,310)   (11,310)  (11,310)
              

Total

  $68,604  $57,377   $68,299  $57,377 
              

The eliminations represent the investment by the Early Childhood segment in the Elementary School segment.

(6) Inventories

(6)Inventories

Inventories, stated at lower of cost or market, consistconsisted of the following amounts (in thousands):

 

  June 30,
2006
  December 31,
2005
  September 30, 2006  December 31, 2005

Raw materials and work in progress

  $992  $915  $1,055  $915

Finished goods

   35,121   21,103   18,875   21,103
            
  $36,113  $22,018  $19,930  $22,018
            

(7) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

(7)Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table identifies the major classes of intangible assets at JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):

 

  June 30, 2006 December 31, 2005   September 30, 2006 December 31, 2005 
  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
 Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
   Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
 Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
 

Trademarks, trade names and formulas

  $953  $(868) $953  $(852)  $953  $(876) $953  $(852)

Customer lists

   1,410   (1,010)  1,410   (940)   1,410   (1,045)  1,410   (940)
                          
  $2,363  $(1,878) $2,363  $(1,792)  $2,363  $(1,921) $2,363  $(1,792)
                          

Total amortization expense on intangible assets was $43,000 and $87,000$130,000 for each of the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The carrying amount of goodwill was $5.9 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005. There was no impairment loss recorded during the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005.

(8) Credit Facility

(8)Credit Facility

The Company has available a secured credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank of America Facility”) for $20.0 million from April 16 to October 15 of each year and $10.0 million from October 16 to April 15 of each year until its maturity date of October 1, 2007. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had zero outstanding borrowings under the Bank of America Facility of $4.0 million and zero, respectively.Facility. Available borrowing capacity as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was $16.0$20.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively.

The Bank of America Facility also includes the availability of up to $5.0 million through a reducing revolving term loan. The Bank of America Facility, which is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including receivables, inventory, equipment and intellectual property, requires adherence to certain financial covenants and limitations related to capital expenditures and acquisitions during the term of the Bank of America Facility. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants set forth in the Bank of America Facility.

(9) Legal Matters

(9)Legal Matters

The staff in the Division of Enforcement in the San Francisco District Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission informed the Company in October 2005 that it was conducting an informal inquiry into the Company’s restatement of its financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and the quarter ended March 31, 2005 — which restated financial statements were filed with the Commission by the Company on Form 10-K/A and Form 10-Q/A, respectively, on February 1, 2006 — and the related circumstances. At that time, the staff requested that the Company preserve certain documents related to this inquiry and provide on a voluntary basis certain documents to the staff for its review. The Company has cooperated with the informal inquiry and voluntarily provided documents and information in response to the staff’s requests. The staff obtained a non-public formal order of investigation from the Commission in January 2006. TheAs previously disclosed, in September 2006, the Company is awaitingreceived written notification from the findings ofstaff that the Commission in connection withinvestigation had been terminated and that no enforcement action against the formal investigation.Company had been recommended to the Commission.

In additionAside from to the above-referenced administrative proceeding, the Company and its subsidiaries are, from time to time, party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In management’s opinion, there are no pending claims or litigation the outcome of which would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

(10) Subsequent Event

On July 19, 2006, the Company, ELC Acquisition Corporation and ELC Holdings Corporation, an affiliate of Thoma Cressey Equity Partners, executed a definitive agreement by which ELC Holdings Corporation agreed to acquire the Company in a merger transaction valued at approximately $125 million, subject to an affirmative vote of the Company’s stockholders, certain regulatory approvals, and other conditions. The merger agreement contains certain termination rights for ELC Holdings Corporation and the Company and provides that, upon termination of the merger agreement under specified circumstances, the Company may be required to pay ELC Holdings Corporation a termination fee of $3.60 million and reimburse ELC Holdings Corporation for its out-of-pocket costs and expenses up to $1.40 million. The transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2006. For more information on the merger agreement and related documents, see the Company’s Current Reports on Forms 8-K, filed with the Commission on July 20 and 25, 2006.

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

Overview

The Company is a developer, manufacturer and retailer of educational products, which are sold to child care programs, preschools, elementary schools and consumers. Through a predecessor entity, the Company began operations in 1985. The Company utilizes multiple sales, marketing and distribution channels, primarily including:

its Discount School Supply catalog and website, through which the Company develops, markets and sells educational products to early childhood professionals and, to a lesser extent, consumers;

EPI’s fundraising programs, through which the Company sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations;

its ECMD catalog and website, through which the Company markets and sells furniture and equipment to early childhood professionals, and

Earlychildhood NEWS, an award winning web-based professional journal focused on the growth and development of children from infancy through age eight.

All of the foregoing is supported by a national sales force, which, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, numbered 6159 people.

The Company operates in two business segments: Early Childhood and Elementary School. The Early Childhood segment includes the brand names Discount School Supply, ECMD andEarlychildhood NEWS. The Early Childhood segment develops, manufactures and sells educational products through multiple distribution channels to early childhood professionals and, to a lesser extent, consumers. The Early Childhood segment also provides information to teachers and other education professionals regarding the development of children from infancy through age eight. The Elementary School segment sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations for fundraising activities.

Entry into the Merger Agreement

On July 19, 2006, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with ELC Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and ELC Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which Parent agreed to acquire the Company and its subsidiaries through the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving entity. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, upon the consummation of the Merger, each issued and outstanding share of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company will be converted into the right to receive $13.00 in cash.

The Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among others, the approval of the Merger by the affirmative vote of the majority of the holders of the Company’s shares of common stock. In addition, the obligation of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other, to consummate the Merger is subject to the material accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and material compliance of the other party with its covenants and agreements. It is anticipated that the Merger will close during the fourth quarter of 2006. The foregoing descriptions of the Merger and the Merger Agreement are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the Merger Agreement, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 25, 2006 as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

On October 27, 2006, in connection with its entry into the Merger Agreement, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with respect to a special meeting of the Company’s stockholders to be held on November 29, 2006 to vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement. The proxy statement was mailed to the Company’s stockholders on October 31, 2006.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, product returns, intangible assets, inventories and deferred income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements:

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales upon the delivery of products to an unrelated third party customer when (a) the customer takes title of the goods; (b) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; (c) the customer is obligated to pay the Company and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product; (d) the customer’s obligation to the Company would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product; (e) the Company does not have significant obligations for future performance to directly bring about resale of the product by the customer; and (f) collectibility is probable. Provisions for estimated returns and allowances are recorded as a reduction to sales and cost of sales based on historical experience. The Company determines that collectibility of accounts receivable is reasonably assured through standardized credit review to determine each customer’s credit worthiness. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Inventories

The Company uses the lower of cost or market under both the first-in, first-out and average cost methods to value inventories. In the Early Childhood segment, the Company uses the first-in, first-out method for its finished goods inventory and the average cost method for its raw materials inventory related to paint manufacturing. The Elementary School segment uses the average cost method for all inventories. Inventory cost is based on amounts paid to vendors plus the capitalization of certain labor and overhead costs necessary to prepare inventory to be saleable.

The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence, damaged or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

While the majority of the Company’s inventory is purchased from domestic vendors, a significant percentage is sourced from overseas. Inventory ordered from foreign vendors constituted 29%28% of the Company’s total inventory at Junefor the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to 27% at June 30,29% for the same period in 2005. The Company takes title to inventory purchased from overseas at point of shipment; the Company takes title to inventory purchased domestically upon receipt for certain vendors, and at point of shipment for certain other vendors, based on vendor shipping terms.vendors.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, including goodwill and other intangibles, when indicators of impairment are present. On an on-going basis, management reviews the value and period of amortization or depreciation of its long-lived assets. Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying value of the asset group to the undiscounted future cash flow expected to be generated by the asset group. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

The Company applies SFAS No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to account for its goodwill and intangible assets. SFAS No. 142 provides that goodwill should not be amortized but instead be tested for impairment annually at the reporting unit level. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company conducts its annual impairment test on December 31. The Company’s goodwill impairment test is based on a comparison of carrying values and fair value of the Company’s two reporting units, its Early Childhood and Elementary School segments.

Income Taxes

The Company files a consolidated tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations reflect the income tax expense based on the actual tax position of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect for the respective periods.

The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset in an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the value of the deferred tax asset, in the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be made to increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax asset in the future, a decrease to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

Results of Operations

Revenues

Revenues were $32.9$61.0 million and $29.8$57.1 million for the secondthird quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in revenues in 2006 over 2005 of 10.4%6.8%, or $3.1$3.9 million, was primarily due to growth of 10.8%10.0%, or $2.7$3.7 million, in the Early Childhood segment. Overall growth in the Early Childhood segment was achieved through new product offerings, which generated $456,000$1.3 million in increased revenues, new customer solicitation and improved sales and marketing strategies. Average quarterly sales price per unit for the Early Childhood segment increased 7.0%6.6% from 2005, with total units sold in the segment up 4.4%4.3% from 2005.

For the first sixnine months of 2006 and 2005, revenues were $57.8$118.9 million and $52.4$109.5 million, respectively. The increase in revenues in 2006 over 2005 of 10.3%8.5%, or $5.4$9.4 million, was primarily due to growth of 10.8%10.5%, or $5.0$8.6 million, in the Early Childhood segment. Overall growth in the Early Childhood segment was achieved through new product offerings, which generated $683,000$2.0 in increased revenues, new customer solicitation and improved sales and marketing strategies. Average sixnine month sales price per unit for the Early Childhood segment increased 6.3%6.4% from 2005, with total units sold in the segment up 5.4%4.9% from 2005.

The Company will continue with its goal to achieve revenue growth in the Early Childhood and Elementary School segments by improving circulation of its catalogs, offering new proprietary products, soliciting new customers, implementing more aggressive sales and marketing strategies and enhancing the Company’s websites. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $12.4$22.0 million for the three month period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, a $2.5$2.2 million increase over the gross profit of $9.9$19.8 million for the same period in 2005. The increase in gross profit in 2006 was primarily due to an increase in gross profit of 24.0%11.9%, or $2.0$1.6 million, in the Early Childhood segment, which resulted from increased sales of proprietary products that carry higher margins, increased product sourcing in China and continued improvements in freight management. The increase in gross profit of 30.9%10.0%, or $438,000,$699,000, in the Elementary School segment was achieved through more effective salesincreased revenues and marketing strategies.improved margins.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 37.7%36.1% and 33.4%34.6% for the secondthird quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 2005 to 2006 due to improved product sourcing from China, increased sales of proprietary products with higher margins and improved freight management.

For the first sixnine months of 2006, gross profit was $21.7$43.7 million, a $3.6$5.8 million increase over the gross profit of $18.1$37.8 million for the same period in 2005. The increase in gross profit in 2006 was primarily due to an increase in gross profit of 19.1%15.9%, or $3.1$4.6 million, in the Early Childhood segment, which resulted from increased sales of proprietary products that carry higher margins, increased product sourcing in China and continued improvements in freight management. The increase in gross profit of 26.2%13.6%, or $497,000,$1.2 million, in the Elementary School segment was achieved through more effective salesincreased revenues and marketing strategies.improved margins.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 37.5%36.7% and 34.5%34.6% for the first sixnine months of 2006 and 2005, respectively. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 2005 to 2006 due to improved product sourcing from China, increased sales of proprietary products with higher margins and improved freight management.

The Company accounts for shipping costs as cost of goods sold for shipments made directly from vendors to customers and also for shipments from the Company’s warehouses. The amount of shipping costs related to shipments from the Company’s warehouses billed to the customers for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 was $2.0$3.4 million and $1.9$3.1 million, respectively, or 6.1%5.5% and 6.4%5.4% as a percentage of sales, respectively. The amount of these costs for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 was $3.7$7.1 million and $3.6$6.7 million, respectively, or 6.4%6.0% and 6.8%6.1% as a percentage of sales, respectively.

The amount of shipping costs related to shipments made directly from vendors to customers and billed to customers for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 was $1.3$2.1 million and $1.0$1.8 million, respectively, or 4.0%3.4% and 3.4%3.1% as a percentage of sales, respectively. The amount of these costs for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 was $2.4$4.5 million and $1.9$3.7 million, respectively, or 4.2%3.7% and 3.6%3.4% as a percentage of sales, respectively.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include wages, commissions and stock based compensation, catalog costs, operating expenses (which include customer service and certain warehouse costs), administrative costs (which include information systems, accounting, legal and human resources), e-business costs, stock-based compensation and depreciation of property and equipment.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.0$1.2 million, or 11.4%10.1%, to $9.8$13.1 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, compared to $8.8$11.9 million for the same period in 2005. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2006 over 2005 was primarily attributable to the Company having incurred increased personnel related expenses and catalog related expenses. In addition,During the third quarter of 2005, the Company incurred additional expenses related to an internal investigation and the subsequent restatement of its previously issued financial statements for fiscal year 2004 and the first quarter of 2005, and the related Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. These expenses consisting of billings fromtotaled $1.3 million during the third parties, totaled $169,000 during

the second quarter of 2006,2005, and included legal, expenses of $109,000,accounting and consultancy expenses of $60,000.expenses. The Company has continued to incur certainincurred only minor amounts of these expenses in the third quarter of 2006, but at significantly reduced levels.as these matters had been substantially concluded. During the third quarter of 2006, the Company also incurred expenses relating to the proposed Merger in the amount of $1.1 million. The Company expects to incur additional expenses relating to the proposed Merger in the fourth quarter of 2006.

For the first sixnine months of 2006, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.0$4.2 million, or 17.0%14.2%, to $20.6$33.7 million, compared to $17.6$29.5 million for the same period in 2005. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2006 over 2005 was primarily attributable to the Company having incurred increased personnel related expenses and catalog related expenses. In addition, the Company incurred significant additional expenses related to the aforementioned internal investigation, restatements, and the related Securities and Exchange Commission investigation. TheseDuring the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, these expenses - consisting of billings from third parties and relating primarily to the restatements and the internal investigation - totaled $1.3 million duringmillion. During the first halfnine-month period ended September 30, 2006, these expenses - consisting of billings from third parties and relating primarily to the restatements and the Securities and Exchange Commission investigation - also totaled $1.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and included legalthe Company also incurred expenses relating to the proposed Merger in the amount of $488,000, audit and review$1.4 million. The Company expects to incur additional expenses relating to the proposed Merger in the fourth quarter of $652,000, and consultancy expenses of $183,000.2006.

Amortization of Other Intangible Assets

Amortization of other intangible assets was $43,000 and $87,000$130,000 for each of the three and sixnine month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $42,000$60,000 and $53,000$78,000 for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and $42,000$102,000 and $58,000$136,000 for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The decrease in interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 resulted from lower borrowings in 2006, partially offset by higher interest rates.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $999,000$4.1 million and $419,000$3.3 million for the three-month periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and 2005 was 40.1%46.1% and 37.5%43.0%, respectively. For the first sixnine months of 2006 and 2005, the effective tax rate was 40.9%45.6% and 19.3%42.0%. The difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate in 20052006 was primarily attributable to a discrete benefit reportedcertain capitalized transaction costs incurred in connection with the first quarter of 2005 associated with changes in the estimated future effective state rate applied to the Company’s state deferredMerger having been treated as non-deductible permanent differences for income tax assets and liabilities.purposes.

The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset in an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be made to increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should

the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has available a secured credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank of America Facility”) for $20.0 million from April 16 to October 15 of each year and $10.0 million from October 16 to April 15 of each year, through its maturity date of October 1, 2007. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company had zero outstanding borrowings under the Bank of America Facility of $4.0 million and zero, respectively.Facility. Available borrowing capacity as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was $16.0$20.0 and $10.0 million, respectively. The Company’s primary cash needs are for operations and capital expenditures. Additionally, there may be future cash needs for any potential acquisitions. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operations and the Bank of America Facility. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the Company had net working capital of $31.7$37.0 million.

The Bank of America Facility also includes the availability of up to $5.0 million through a reducing revolving term loan. The Bank of America Facility, which is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including receivables, inventory, equipment and intellectual property, requires adherence to certain financial covenants and limitations related to capital expenditures and acquisitions during the term of the Bank of America Facility. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants set forth in the Bank of America Facility.

During the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the Company’s operating activities used $11.4 millionprovided $653,000 of cash. The cash was usedprovided by operations and increased balances in inventories, accounts receivableincome taxes payable and prepaidaccrued expenses, which were partiallysubstantially offset by increased balances in accounts payablereceivable and accruedprepaid expenses. The Company used $1.0 million$788,000 of cash for investing activities during the first sixnine months of 2006, with which the Company purchased property and equipment. The Company obtained $4.0$4 million in cash from financing activities through bank borrowings and $65,000subsequently repaid such bank borrowings during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. In addition, the Company received $71,000 in cash and excess tax benefits as a result of exercisedexercises of stock options and related tax benefit.options.

As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the Company did not have any guarantees, including loan guarantees, standby letters of credit or indirect guarantees, except for a $50,000 stand by letter of credit with one of the Company’s insurance carriers.

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):

 

  Payments due by period  Payments due by period

Contractual Obligations

  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  More than
5 years
  Total  Less than
1 year
  1-3 years  4-5 years  

More than

5 years

Non-cancelable Operating Lease Obligations

  $8,733  $2,897  $4,989  $846  $—  

Non-cancelable operating lease obligations

  7,857  2,644  4,668  545  $—  

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There are no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations (including contingent obligations) that have, or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in the financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Seasonality

The Company’s seasonal sales trends coincide with the start of each school year. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, 43% of the Company’s consolidated annual sales were generated in the third calendar quarter. The Company’s working capital needs are greatest during the first and second quarters as inventory levels are increased to meet seasonal demands.

Inflation

Inflation has and is expected to have only a minor effect on the Company’s results of operations and sources of liquidity.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The following discussion of market risk includes statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly offset anticipated results in the future. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements.” The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and a revolving line of credit. Market risks relating to operations result primarily from a change in interest rates. The Company’s borrowings are primarily dependent upon LIBOR rates. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the Company had $4.0 millionzero in borrowings under the Bank of America Facility and available borrowing capacity of $16.0$20.0 million. See “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” The estimated fair value of borrowings under the Bank of America Facility is expected to approximate its carrying value.

Credit Risk

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company has no customer comprising greater than 10% of its revenues. However, receivables arising from the normal course of business are not collateralized and management continually monitors the payment of the Company’s accounts receivable and the financial condition of its customers to reduce the risk of loss. The Company does not believe that its cash and cash equivalents are subject to any unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.

Foreign Currency Risk

The Company purchases some of its products from foreign vendors. Accordingly, the Company’s prices of imported products are subject to variability based on foreign exchange rates. However, the Company’s purchase orders are denominated in U.S. dollars and the Company does not enter into long-term purchase commitments. The Company does not engage in hedging activities with regard to its foreign purchases.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has established and currently maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in its reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission and that any material information relating to the Company is recorded, processed, summarized and reported to its principal officers to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving desired control objectives. In reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Due to the matters discussed below and as previously reported, the Company restated its previously issued financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005. Accordingly, the Company amended its annual report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2005, both of which were filed with the Commission on February 1, 2006.

In conjunction with the close of the period covered by this report, the Company conducted a review and evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (who is also serving as the Company’s Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. As further discussed below, material weaknesses were identified in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 2 defines a material weakness as a significant deficiency, or combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.

Subsequent to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, it came to the attention of management that certain current and former accounting personnel alleged that the Company had improperly failed to record and accrue for certain obligations for the period and fiscal year ended as of that date. In accordance with the Company’s Complaint and Investigation Procedures for Accounting, Internal Accounting Controls, Fraud and Auditing Matters, following a preliminary inquiry by the Company’s General Counsel, the matter was reported to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee engaged independent counsel to conduct an investigation and to direct forensic accounting consultants to assist in the investigation. The results of that investigation were reported to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, and included findings which, upon the recommendation of management, the Board determined would require a material adjustment to, and restatement of, the previously reported financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 and for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. These restatements were filed with the Commission on February 1, 2006.

The Company determined that this restatement was attributable to a number of factors. The most significant factor was the Company’s failure to timely record and to accrue for certain invoices relating to inventory on hand as of year end. The Company determined, based upon the results of its internal investigation, that its accrual of accounts payable for inventory did not include certain inventory items that had been received but had not been paid for by the Company prior to the end of fiscal 2004. As a result of additional review procedures performed by the Company, and itsthe forensic accountants and subsequent audit procedures by its registered independent public accountants, certain other accounting errors were identified relating to 2004 which are also reflected in the restatement. Those additional errors included an understatement of costs capitalized to inventory, an understatement of the provision for sales returns, an understatement of certain selling, general and administrative expenses, an understatement of compensation expense for deferred compensation amounts relating to previously issued stock options, and an understatement of income taxes related to stock option exercises.

The restatement of previously issued financial statements is a strong indicator that one or more material weaknesses in controls over financial reporting may exist. As a result, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Acting Principal Financial officer has concluded that, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2006, the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

The material weaknesses that were found to exist are:

 

 Inadequate staffing and training in the accounting function over the Company’s processing of certain financial information.

Management identified this material weakness based on the internal investigation conducted at the direction of the Audit Committee, including review of the work product of the forensic accountants retained to assist in the investigation. The Company believes that invoices relating to inventory on hand as of December 31, 2004 were not timely processed for payment and were not adequately accrued. The internal investigation revealed that the Company set aside certain invoices pending completion of the year end audit without determining whether the invoices were properly accrued and that some of the Company’s accounting personnel were aware of this treatment of invoices, but failed to bring the matter to the attention of appropriate senior management, the Audit Committee, or the independent auditors. The Company has determined that this material weakness contributed to the failure to timely record and to properly accrue for certain invoices (relating primarily to inventory and catalog costs) as of December 31, 2004. These conditions also contributed to the other errors that were noted and corrected during the review procedures performed by the Company, and itsthe forensic accountants and subsequent audit procedures by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

 Improper segregation of duties over the processing and review of journal entries.

Management identified this material weakness based on an incorrect journal entry directed by the former Chief Financial Officer, which was found during the course of the investigation and reduced the accounts payable expense for inventory on hand as of December 31, 2004. The investigation revealed and management confirmed that the adjusting journal entry was not adequately justified and was not consistent with the Company’s ordinary practices. Although the investigation revealed that other accounting employees, including the former Controller, were aware of and disagreed with the adjusting entry, they did not raise the matter with other senior management, the Audit Committee, or the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Certain changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2006 that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to affect, the Company’s control over financial reporting are described below.

Subsequent to the discovery of the material weaknesses, the Company has taken and continues to take the following steps to remediate the material weaknesses found to exist during its evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures:

 

The first identified material weakness had already begun being remediated by the Company with its implementation of procedures in May 2005 to ensure that its accounts payable invoices are processed promptly in accordance with standard procedures when received, and that accruals are maintained and reviewed by appropriate senior accounting and financial reporting management on a monthly basis. In addition, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer resigned effective as of September 13, 2005 and the Company is in the process of identifying a new Chief Financial Officer. The Company’s former Controller had been terminated in JuneSeptember 2005, and a new Controller was formally appointed in November 2005. The Company has significantly increased the number and skills and training of management and staff personnel in its accounting and finance departments, including training in the Company’s whistleblower policies and procedures, implemented enhanced segregation of duties, and documented and implemented specific desk-level procedures in the accounting and financial reporting departments. The Company believes that the steps it has taken have substantially remediated this material weakness.

 

To remediate the second identified material weakness, the Company has implemented and documented rigorous and detailed procedures for the closing of each fiscal period that include specific protocols for the timely review by appropriate senior accounting and financial reporting management of all adjusting journal entries. In addition, the Company significantly increased the number and skills and training of management and staff personnel in its accounting and finance departments, including training in the Company’s whistleblower policies and procedures, and implemented enhanced segregation of duties. In addition, as noted, the Company is in the process of identifying a new Chief Financial Officer and has replaced the former Controller. Additional controls and safeguards are being evaluated. The Company believes that the steps it has taken, haveand plans to take by year-end, will substantially mitigated, and systems conversions currently underway will remediate this material weakness.

In addition to the remediation steps described above, the Company has:

 

Implemented new software enhancements to improve and/or integrate major systems and enhance the control environment in the areas of financial planning and analysis, internal reporting, and integration of the sales order entry and inventory subsystems with the general ledger system;

and inventory subsystems with the general ledger system;

Initiated training and education of all relevant personnel involved in interactions with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm designed to ensure that such personnel understand and comply with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules promulgated thereunder, regarding representations to the Company’s independent registered public accountants;

 

Communicated with all Company employees reaffirming the Company’s whistleblower protections; and

 

Accelerated the documentation and internal control evaluation processes contemplated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Management believes the measures that have been and will be implemented to remediate the material weaknesses have had a significant and positive impact on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting since December 31, 2004 and anticipates that these measures and other ongoing enhancements will continue to strengthen the Company’s internal control over financial reporting in future periods.

Although the Company has implemented and continues to implement remediation efforts, a material weakness indicates that there is more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the Company’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected. In addition, the Company cannot ensure that it will not in the future identify further material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in its internal control over financial reporting that it has not discovered to date. The Company has taken and is taking steps to improve its internal control over financial reporting. The efforts it has taken and continues to take are subject to continued management review supported by confirmation and testing by management, as well as Audit Committee oversight. As a result, additional changes are expected to be made to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Other than the foregoing initiatives since the date of the evaluation supervised by management, there have been no material changes in the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, or the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, that could have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Company performed additional analyses and other post-closing procedures to address the material weaknesses and to ensure that the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this report were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this report fairly present in all material respects the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings.

The staff in the Division of Enforcement in the San Francisco District Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission informed the Company in October 2005 that it was conducting an informal inquiry into the Company’s restatement of its financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and the quarter ended March 31, 2005 — which restated financial statements were filed with the Commission by the Company on Form 10-K/A and Form 10-Q/A, respectively, on February 1, 2006 — and the related circumstances. At that time, the staff requested that the Company preserve certain documents related to this inquiry and provide on a voluntary basis certain documents to the staff for its review. The Company has cooperated with the informal inquiry and voluntarily provided documents and information in response to the staff’s requests. The staff obtained a non-public formal order of investigation from the Commission in January 2006. TheAs previously disclosed, in September 2006, the Company is awaitingreceived written notification from the findings ofstaff that the Commission in connection withinvestigation had been terminated and that no enforcement action against the formal investigation.Company had been recommended to the Commission.

Aside from the above-referenced administrative proceeding, the Company and its subsidiaries are, from time to time, party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In management’s opinion, there are no pending claims or litigation the outcome of which would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, other than the addition of the following risk factors:

Risks Related to the Proposed Merger

On July 19, 2006, the Company ELC Acquisition Corporation and ELC Holdings Corporation,Thoma Cressey Equity Partners (“Thoma Cressey”) executed the Merger Agreement by which an affiliate of Thoma Cressey Equity Partners, executed a definitive agreement by which ELC Holdings Corporation agreed to acquire the Company in a merger transaction valued at approximately $125 million, subject to an affirmative vote of the Company’s stockholders certain regulatory approvals, and other conditions. The transactions contemplated by the merger agreementMerger Agreement are expected to close in the fourth quarter ofon or about November 29, 2006.

In connection with the proposed merger,Merger, on October 27, 2006, the Company will filefiled a definitive proxy statement with the SEC. The proxy statement contains important information about the Company, the proposed mergerMerger and other related matters. The Company urges all of its stockholders to read the proxy statement. In relation to the proposed merger,Merger, the Company is subject to certain risks including, but not limited to, those set forth below.

Failure to complete the mergerMerger could negatively impact the Company’s stock price and its future business and financial results.

Completion of the proposed mergerMerger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions, including the receipt of approval from the Company’s stockholders receipt of various approvals and authorizations, and the absence of any order, injunction or decree preventing the completion of the proposed merger.Merger. There is no assurance that all of the various conditions will be satisfied or waived.

If the proposed mergerMerger is not completed for any reason, the Company will be subject to several risks, including the following:

 

being required, under certain circumstances, including if the Company signs a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal from another potential buyer, to pay a termination fee of $3.6$3.60 million;

 

being required, under certain circumstances, including if the Company breaches the merger agreement,Merger Agreement, to reimburse ELC Holdings Corporation for up to $1.4$1.40 million of its reasonable and accountable costs and expenses in connection with the merger agreement;Merger Agreement;

 

having incurred certain costs relating to the proposed mergerMerger that are payable whether or not the merger is completed, including legal, accounting, financial advisor and printing fees; and

 

having had the focus of management directed toward the proposed mergerMerger and integration planning instead of on the Company’s core business and other opportunities that could have been beneficial to it.

In addition, the Company would not realize any of the expected benefits of having completed the proposed merger.Merger. If the proposed mergerMerger is not completed, the Company cannot assure its stockholders that these risks will not materialize or materially adversely affect its business, financial results, financial condition and stock price.

Provisions of the merger agreementMerger Agreement may deter alternative business combinations and could negatively impact the Company’s stock price if the merger agreementMerger Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances.

Restrictions in the merger agreementMerger Agreement on solicitation prohibit the Company from soliciting any acquisition proposal or offer for a merger or business combination with any other party, including a proposal that might be advantageous to the Company’s stockholders when compared to the terms and conditions of the proposed merger.Merger. If the merger is not completed, the Company may not be able to conclude another merger, sale or combination on as favorable terms, in a timely manner, or at all. If the merger agreementMerger Agreement is terminated, the Company, in certain specified circumstances, may be required to pay a termination fee of up to $3.60 million to ELC Holdings Corporation. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay ELC Holdings Corporation an expense fee of $10.0 million. These provisions may deter third parties from proposing or pursuing alternative business combinations that might result in greater value to the Company’s stockholders than the merger.Merger.

The Company’s stock price and businesses may be adversely affected if the mergerMerger is not completed.

If the mergerMerger is not completed, the trading price of the Company’s common stock may decline, to the extent that the current market prices reflect a market assumption that the mergerMerger will be completed. In addition, the Company’s businesses and operations may be harmed to the extent that customers, vendors and others believe that it cannot effectively operateoperate.

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.

 

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

 

Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The Company submitted to stockholder vote and its stockholders approved the following items at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 23, 2006.None

 

a)Election of two directors for additional three-year terms:

Name

  Votes For  Withheld Authority

Ronald Elliott

  7,391,401  943,510

Dean DeBiase

  7,386,801  948,110

In addition to the two directors listed above, the terms of the following five directors continued after the meeting: Lou Casagrande, Richard Delaney, Colin Gallagher, Scott Graves and Robert MacDonald.

b)Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 by a vote of 8,326,268 “for,” 9,494 “against,” and 149 abstentions.

Item 5.Other Information.

None.

 

Item 6.Exhibits.

*  2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 19, 2006, by and among ELC Holdings Corporation, ELC Acquisition Corporation and Excelligence Learning Corporation.
  **31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as created by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
***32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

*Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on July 25, 2006 (file No. 000-32613).

**Filed herewith.

 

***Furnished herewith.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 14,November 13, 2006

 

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION
By:             /s//s/ Ronald Elliott
 

Ronald Elliott

Chief Executive Officer and Acting Principal Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer and

Principal Financial Officer)

 

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