EXHIBIT 12.1
SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Fiscal Year (1)
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2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Earnings
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Income before income taxes $36,300 $21,006 $33,635 $17,615 $10,719
Plus:
Fixed charges 20,052 18,941 15,003 14,084 6,522
Amortization of capitalized interest 28 - - - -
Less interest capitalized during period 240 - - - -
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$56,140 $39,947 $48,638 $31,699 $17,241
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Fixed Charges
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Interest (expensed or capititalized) $15,964 $16,393 $12,767 $12,267 $ 5,505
Portion of rent expense representative
of interest 2,519 1,958 1,661 1,349 1,017
Amortization of deferred financing fees 1,569 590 575 468 -
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$20,052 $18,941 $15,003 $14,084 $ 6,522
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.8 2.1 3.2 2.3 2.6
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(1) All fiscal years presented were 52 weeks, except for fiscal 2000, which had
53 weeks.