SCHOOL SPECIALTY INC
10-Q, 2000-12-04
PAPER & PAPER PRODUCTS
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                     UNITED STATES
          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                 Washington, DC  20549


                       FORM 10-Q


[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE
     QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 28, 2000.

[ ]  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:  000-24385



                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

     Wisconsin                                      39-0971239
  (State or Other                                (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)                Identification No.)

              1000 North Bluemound Drive
                  Appleton, Wisconsin
       (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                         54914
                      (Zip Code)

                    (920) 734-5712
 (Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the Registrant was required to file such reports), and
(2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.

                 Yes [X]     No [ ]

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

                                             Outstanding at
         Class                              December 1, 2000
Common Stock, $0.001 par value                 17,465,938

<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.

                  INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

    FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 28, 2000


PART I -  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                                  Page
                                                                 Number
ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

          Consolidated Balance Sheets at October 28, 2000
            (Unaudited) and April 29, 2000                         1

          Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
            for the Three Months Ended October 28, 2000
            and October 23, 1999 and for the Six Months
            Ended October 28, 2000 and October 23, 1999            2

          Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
            for the Six Months Ended October 28, 2000
            and October 23, 1999                                   3

          Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements     5

ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
          CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                     11

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
          MARKET RISK                                             14

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2.   CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS               15

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS     15

ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K                        16

<PAGE>

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
   (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                              October 28,    April 29,
                                                 2000          2000
                                             (unaudited)
    ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                   $  5,776       $  4,151
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for
   doubtful accounts of $1,643 and
   $1,744, respectively                        165,287         76,028
  Inventories                                   53,889         86,117
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     30,314         28,664
  Deferred taxes                                 6,964          6,964
                                              --------       --------
   Total current assets                        262,230        201,924

Property and equipment, net                     56,032         51,725
Intangible assets, net                         215,607        192,744
Deferred taxes                                   1,861          1,861
Other..                                          6,371          6,595
                                              --------       --------
   Total assets                               $542,101       $454,849
                                              ========       ========

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current maturities - long-term debt         $ 14,838       $ 17,391
  Accounts payable                              44,154         48,874
  Accrued compensation                           9,538          8,634
  Other accrued liabilities                     11,175          8,792
  Accrued income taxes                          14,641          1,150
  Accrued restructuring                              -             65
                                              --------       --------
   Total current liabilities                    94,346         84,906

Long-term debt                                 198,590        144,789
Other..                                             95            161
                                              --------       --------
   Total liabilities                           293,031        229,856

Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per
   share, 1,000,000 shares authorized;
   none outstanding                                  -              -
  Common stock, $0.001 par value per share,
   150,000,000 shares authorized and
   17,465,005 and 17,464,505 shares
   issued and outstanding                           17             17
  Capital paid-in excess of par value          195,998        196,012
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss            (234)           (30)
  Retained earnings                             53,289         28,994
                                              --------       --------
   Total stockholders' equity                  249,070        224,993
                                              --------       --------
   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $542,101       $454,849
                                              ========       ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                               For the Three                For the Six
                               Months Ended                 Months Ended
                         October 28,   October 23,    October 28,   October 23,
                            2000          1999           2000          1999

Revenues                  $240,539      $231,588       $457,606      $425,887
Cost of revenues           155,026       148,675        293,024       270,095
                          --------      --------       --------      --------
   Gross profit             85,513        82,913        164,582       155,792
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses    57,731        56,212        112,693       104,527
                          --------      --------       --------      --------
   Operating income         27,782        26,701         51,889        51,265

Other (income) expense:
   Interest expense          4,605         3,695          8,296         6,863
   Interest income             (28)          (33)           (64)          (71)
   Other                       (34)           17           (297)           11
                          --------      --------       --------      --------
Income before provision
 for income taxes           23,239        23,022         43,954        44,462
Provision for income taxes  10,337        10,838         19,659        20,914
                          --------      --------       --------      --------
Net income                $ 12,902      $ 12,184       $ 24,295      $ 23,548
                          ========      ========       ========      ========

Weighted average shares
 outstanding:
   Basic                    17,465        17,433         17,465        17,408
   Diluted                  17,735        17,438         17,665        17,423

Net income per share:
   Basic                     $0.74         $0.70          $1.39         $1.35
   Diluted                   $0.73         $0.70          $1.38         $1.35


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

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

                                                           For the Six
                                                           Months Ended
                                                     October 28,   October 23,
                                                        2000          1999

Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                          $ 24,295      $ 23,548
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash used in operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization expense               6,860         6,259
     Amortization of loan fees and other                   357           379
     Gain on disposal of fixed assets                     (184)            -
  Change in current assets and liabilities
   (net of assets acquired and liabilities
   assumed in business combinations accounted
   for under the purchase method):
     Accounts receivable                               (84,856)     (94,086)
     Inventory                                          33,869       27,310
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets          (2,025)       2,457
     Accounts payable                                   (5,527)       3,419
     Accrued liabilities                                15,690       13,417
                                                      --------     --------
       Net cash used in operating activities           (11,521)     (17,297)
                                                      --------     --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Cash paid in acquisitions, net of cash aquired       (31,316)      (1,085)
  Additions to property and equipment                   (6,894)      (7,784)
  Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment       2,485            -
  Other                                                   (602)        (878)
                                                      --------     --------
       Net cash used in investing activities           (36,327)      (9,747)
                                                      --------     --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from bank borrowings                        173,797      115,900
  Repayment of bank debt and capital leases           (124,332)     (94,619)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options                    8            -
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock                     -        2,225
                                                      --------     --------
       Net cash provided by financing activities        49,473       23,506
                                                      --------     --------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     1,625       (3,538)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period           4,151        9,779
                                                      --------     --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period              $  5,776     $  6,241
                                                      ========     ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>
                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (Continued)
                      (Unaudited)
                    (In thousands)

The  Company entered into certain business combinations
accounted  for  under the purchase method  in  the  six
months  ended October 28, 2000, and October  23,  1999.
The  transaction that occurred in the six months ending
October  28,  2000  was paid for using  cash,  and  the
transaction  during the six months  ended  October  23,
1999  was  paid for using cash and common  stock.   The
fair  values  of  the  assets and  liabilities  of  the
acquired companies at the dates of the acquisitions are
presented as follows:

                                                           For the Six
                                                           Months Ended
                                                     October 28,   October 23,
                                                        2000          1999

Accounts receivable                                   $  4,403      $  2,016
Inventories                                              1,641           632
Prepaid expenses and other current assets                2,174            46
Property and equipment                                     897            85
Intangible assets                                       25,813         1,700
Other assets                                                 -            13
Short-term debt and capital lease
 obligations and long-term debt                         (1,217)            -
Accounts payable                                          (806)         (837)
Accrued liabilities                                     (1,023)         (597)
Long-term capital lease obligations                       (566)         (885)
                                                      --------      --------
   Net assets acquired                                $ 31,316      $  2,173
                                                      ========      ========

Acquisitions were funded as follows:
Cash paid, net of cash acquired                       $ 31,316      $  1,085
Common stock                                                 -         1,088
                                                      --------      --------
   Total                                              $ 31,316      $  2,173
                                                      ========      ========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)


NOTE 1-BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The   accompanying  unaudited  consolidated   financial
statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance   with
generally  accepted accounting principles  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  (consisting  of   normal
recurring  accruals) considered necessary  for  a  fair
presentation have been included.  The balance sheet  at
April  29,  2000, has been derived from  the  Company's
audited financial statements for the fiscal year  ended
April 29, 2000.  For further information, refer to  the
consolidated  financial statements  and  notes  thereto
included  in the Company's Annual Report on  Form  10-K
for the year ended April 29, 2000.

NOTE 2-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Changes in stockholders' equity during the six   months
ended October 28, 2000, were as follows:

          Stockholders' equity balance at April 29, 2000            $224,993
          Net income                                                  24,295
          Other                                                         (218)
          Stockholders' equity balance at October 28, 2000          $249,070

Comprehensive income for the periods presented in the
consolidated statements of operations were as follows:

                               For the Three                For the Six
                               Months Ended                 Months Ended
                          October 28,   October 23,   October 28,   October 23,
                             2000          1999          2000          1999

Net income                  $12,902       $12,184       $24,295       $23,548
Other comprehensive loss:
 Cumulative translation
  adjustment                   (103)            -          (204)          (77)
                            -------       -------       -------       -------
Total comprehensive income  $12,799       $12,184       $24,091       $23,541
                            =======       =======       =======       =======

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<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)

NOTE 3-EARNINGS PER SHARE

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

                                           Income         Share      Per Share
                                         (Numerator)  (Denominator)    Amount
  Three months ended October 28, 2000:
Basic EPS                                  $ 12,902         17,465    $  0.74
                                                                      =======
Effect of dilutive employee stock options         -            270
                                           --------       --------
Diluted EPS                                $ 12,902         17,735       0.73
                                           ========       ========    =======

Three months ended October 23, 1999:
Basic EPS                                  $ 12,184         17,433       0.70
                                                                      =======
Effect of dilutive employee stock options         -              5
                                           --------       --------
Diluted EPS                                $ 12,184         17,438       0.70
                                           ========       ========    =======

Six months ended October 28, 2000:
Basic EPS                                  $ 24,295         17,465       1.39
                                                                      =======
Effect of dilutive employee stock options         -            200
                                           --------       --------
Diluted EPS                                $ 24,295         17,665       1.38
                                           ========       ========    =======

Six months ended October 23, 1999:
Basic EPS                                  $ 23,548         17,408       1.35
                                                                      =======
Effect of dilutive employee stock options         -             15
                                           --------       --------
Diluted EPS                                $ 23,548         17,423       1.35
                                           ========       ========    =======

The  Company  had  additional  employee  stock  options
outstanding during the periods presented that were  not
included in the computation of diluted EPS because they
were anti-dilutive.

NOTE 4-ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June, 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards
("SFAS") No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and  Hedging  Activities."  SFAS No. 137, which  delays
the  adoption  date of SFAS No. 133 and was  issued  in
July,  1999,  requires adoption of  SFAS  No.  133  for
annual periods beginning after June 15, 2000.  SFAS No.
133   establishes   standards   for   recognition   and
measurement of derivatives and hedging activities.  The
Company  will implement this statement in  fiscal  year
2002 as required.  The adoption of SFAS No. 133 is  not
expected  to  have a material effect on  the  Company's
financial position or results of operations.

The  SEC  issued  Staff Accounting  Bulletin  No.  101,
"Revenue  Recognition"  ("SAB No.  101"),  in  December
1999,  which  provides  guidance  on  the  recognition,
presentation,  and disclosure of revenue  in  financial
statements.  On June 26, 2000, the SEC issued  SAB  No.
101B which delayed implementation of SAB No. 101.   The
Company  will  implement SAB  No.  101  in  the  fourth
quarter  of  fiscal year 2001 as required  by  SAB  No.
101B.  The Company is reviewing the requirements of SAB
No.  101 and has not yet determined the impact of  this
standard on its consolidated financial statements.   It
is not expected, however, that SAB No. 101 will have  a
material effect on the Company's financial position  or
results of operations.

<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)


NOTE 5-BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On  June  30,  2000,  the Company acquired  100%  of  a
company,  which  was accounted for under  the  purchase
method  of  accounting, for a cash  purchase  price  of
$32,000,  which  is  subject to  change,  resulting  in
goodwill  of $25,813, which will be amortized  over  40
years.   The  results  of  this acquisition  have  been
included  in  the Company's results from  the  date  of
acquisition.

During  fiscal 2000, the Company purchased  100%  of  a
company,  and  certain assets of another company.   The
results of these acquisitions have been included in the
Company's  results  from  their  respective  dates   of
acquisition.   The  pro-forma  results  of  the  latter
transaction are not included in the table below due  to
immateriality.

The  following information presents the unaudited  pro-
forma  results  of operations of the  Company  for  the
three and six months ended October 28, 2000 and October
23,  1999,  and  includes  the  Company's  consolidated
results  of operations and the results of the companies
acquired during fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 as  if  all
such  purchase  acquisitions  had  been  made  at   the
beginning of fiscal 2000.  The results presented  below
include  certain pro-forma adjustments to  reflect  the
amortization  of  intangible  assets,  adjustments   to
interest  expense, and the inclusion of an  income  tax
provision on all earnings:

                             Three Months Ended            Six Months Ended
                          October 28,   October 23,   October 28,   October 23,
                             2000          1999          2000          1999

Revenues                   $240,539      $236,151      $463,110      $435,136
Net income                   12,902        12,858        24,705        24,761

Net income per share:
 Basic                        $0.74         $0.74         $1.41         $1.42
 Diluted                      $0.73         $0.74         $1.40         $1.42

The  unaudited  pro-forma  results  of  operations  are
prepared  for  comparative purposes  only  and  do  not
necessarily  reflect  the  results  that   would   have
occurred had the acquisitions occurred at the beginning
of  fiscal  2000 or the results that may occur  in  the
future.

NOTE 6-SEGMENT INFORMATION

The  Company's business activities are organized around
three   principal   business   segments,   traditional,
specialty  and  Internet.  Both internal  and  external
reporting  conform  to  this organizational  structure,
with  no significant differences in accounting policies
applied.  The Company evaluates the performance of  its
segments  and  allocates resources  to  them  based  on
revenue  growth  and profitability.   While  the  three
segments   serve  a  similar  customer  base,   notable
differences exist in products, gross margin and revenue
growth  rate.  Products supplied within the traditional
segment  include consumables (consisting  of  classroom
supplies,  instructional materials, educational  games,
art  supplies  and school forms), school furniture  and
indoor and outdoor equipment.  Products supplied within
the   specialty  segment  target  specific  educational
disciplines,  such  as art, industrial  arts,  physical
education, sciences, library and early childhood.   The
Internet  segment  supplies  products  from  both   the
traditional   and   specialty  segments   through   the
Internet.   In addition, the Internet segment  includes
products  supplied for customer use with the   Internet
(i.e., filtering software for the Internet).

<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)



During  the  third quarter of fiscal 2000, the  Company
modified   its   segment   reporting   by   identifying
information for a third business segment, the  Internet
business   segment.  This  segment  includes   business
generated by products supplied through the Internet and
products supplied for use with the Internet.  Effective
October 24, 1999 (the beginning of fiscal 2000's  third
quarter),   the  Company  began  to  separately   track
financial  information  for this  segment,  and  assign
certain  management  personnel the  responsibility  for
monitoring  this  information  and  focusing   on   the
expansion  of  the  Company's Internet  business.   The
Company  is  unable  to segregate information  for  the
Internet business segment for the first two quarters of
fiscal  2000; therefore, results for this  segment  for
those periods are included in both the traditional  and
specialty   business  segments.  The  following   table
presents segment information:


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<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)


                               Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended
                            October 28,   October 23, October 28,   October 23,
                               2000          1999        2000          1999
Revenues:
  Traditional                $148,879      $148,119    $279,846      $269,358
  Specialty                    91,660        83,469     177,760       156,529
  Internet                      7,739             -      16,897             -
  Inter-company revenue
   elimination                 (7,739)            -     (16,897)            -
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                    $240,539      $231,588    $457,606      $425,887
                             ========      ========    ========      ========

Operating profit (loss) and
 income before taxes:
  Traditional                $ 17,326      $ 17,236    $ 32,646      $ 33,456
  Specialty                    13,032        12,508      25,623        23,987
  Internet                       (508)            -      (1,566)            -
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                      29,850        29,744      56,713        57,443
  General corporate expense     2,068         3,043       4,824         6,178
  Interest expense and other    4,543         3,679       7,935         6,803
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
  Income before taxes        $ 23,239      $ 23,022    $ 43,954      $ 44,462
                             ========      ========    ========      ========

Identifiable assets (at
 quarter end):
  Traditional                $277,518      $292,670    $277,518      $292,670
  Specialty                   221,593       191,799     221,593       191,799
  Internet                     11,376             -      11,376             -
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                     510,487       484,469     510,487       484,469
  Corporate assets             31,614        20,945      31,614        20,945
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                    $542,101      $505,414    $542,101      $505,414
                             ========      ========    ========      ========

Depreciation and amortization:
  Traditional                $  1,326      $  1,645    $  2,660      $  3,357
  Specialty                     1,433         1,334       2,673         2,514
  Internet                        506             -         988             -
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                       3,265         2,979       6,321         5,871
  Corporate                       288           231         539           388
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                    $  3,553      $  3,210    $  6,860      $  6,259
                             ========      ========    ========      ========

Expenditures for property
 and equipment:
  Traditional                $    370      $  2,954    $    951      $  3,020
  Specialty                       581         1,432       2,090         2,519
  Internet                      1,560             -       2,833             -
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                       2,511         4,386       5,874         5,539
  Corporate                       483         2,121       1,020         2,245
                             --------      --------    --------      --------
    Total                    $  2,994      $  6,507    $  6,894      $  7,784
                             ========      ========    ========      ========

<PAGE>

                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                      (Unaudited)
       (In thousands, except per share amounts)



NOTE 7- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On  October 30, 2000, the Company's interest rate  swap
agreement with the Bank of New York was canceled by the
Bank  of  New  York under the terms of the October  28,
1998  swap  agreement. The swap agreement, which  fixed
the 30-day LIBOR interest rate at 4.37% per annum on  a
$50,000  notional  amount, was for a  three-year  term,
cancelable by the Bank on the second anniversary.

On  November  3,  2000,  the  Company  entered  into  a
sale/leaseback    transaction   for    the    Company's
distribution  centers in Mansfield,  Ohio  and  Agawam,
Massachusetts.  The  transaction  netted  approximately
$17,500  in  cash, which was used to reduce outstanding
borrowings under the Company's credit facility.

On  November 13, 2000, the Company signed a  letter  of
intent  to sell Don Gresswell, Ltd., a U.K. subsidiary.
The   proposed  transaction,  a  sale  of   stock   for
approximately  $4,700 in cash, is  subject  to  certain
contingencies  and  is expected to  close  in  December
2000.

On  November  22, 2000, the Company purchased  the  net
assets  of  the  wholesale  division  of  J.L.  Hammett
Company.  The  purchase  price,  which  is  subject  to
change,  was approximately $79,000 and will  result  in
goodwill  of  approximately $45,000.  As  part  of  the
agreement,  the  Company entered  into  five-year  non-
compete agreements with two management shareholders  of
J.L.  Hammett  Company for cash consideration  of  $2.8
million.  The  transaction and  non-compete  agreements
were  funded  through  borrowings under  the  Company's
existing credit facility.

In November 2000, the Company entered into an agreement
to sell, on a revolving basis, an interest in a defined
pool of trade accounts receivable. At November 22, 2000
a $50,000 interest was sold under this agreement with
proceeds used to reduce the amount outstanding on the
Company's credit facility. The borrowing rate on the
trade accounts receivable interest is expected to be
lower than the average rate on the Company's credit
facility.


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<PAGE>

  ITEM  2.   Management's Discussion  and  Analysis  of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth various items as  a
percentage of revenues on a historical basis.

                              Three Months Ended          Six Months Ended
                          October 28,   October 23,   October 28,   October 23,
                             2000          1999          2000          1999

Revenues                     100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%
Cost of revenues              64.4          64.2          64.0          63.4
                             -----         -----         -----         -----
   Gross profit               35.6          35.8          36.0          36.6
Selling, general and
 administrative expenses      24.0          24.3          24.7          24.6
                             -----         -----         -----         -----
   Operating income           11.5          11.5          11.3          12.0
Interest expense and other     1.8           1.5           1.7           1.6
                             -----         -----         -----         -----
Income before provision for
 income taxes                  9.7          10.0           9.6          10.4
Provision for income taxes     4.3           4.7           4.3           4.9
                             -----         -----         -----         -----
Net income                     5.4%          5.3%          5.3%          5.5%
                             =====         =====         =====         =====

Three  Months Ended October 28, 2000 Compared to  Three
Months Ended October 23, 1999

Revenues

Revenues  increased 3.9% from $231.6  million  for  the
three  months ended October 23, 1999, to $240.5 million
for  the  three  months ended October 28,  2000.   This
increase  was primarily due to growth in the  specialty
and  the  Internet  segments and revenues  from  Global
Video,  LLC,  which  was acquired  on  June  30,  2000.
Revenue  growth  for fiscal 2001's  second  quarter  as
compared  to fiscal 2000's second quarter was  impacted
by  fiscal  2000 being a 53-week year. This moved  four
heavy  shipping days that were in fiscal 2000's  second
quarter  to  fiscal 2001's first quarter, resulting  in
strong  revenue growth in fiscal 2001's  first  quarter
and  modest  growth  in fiscal 2001's  second  quarter.
Revenue  growth  for the six months ended  October  28,
2000 was 7.4%.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $85.5 million or 35.6% of revenues for
the three months ended October 28, 2000, an increase of
$2.6 million, or 3.1% over fiscal 2000's second quarter
of $82.9 million or 35.8% of revenues.  The increase in
gross  profit  was  primarily due  to  an  increase  in
revenues.  The change in gross profit as a  percent  of
revenues  was due primarily to 1) product  mix  in  the
traditional  segment, driven by revenue growth  in  the
lighter-margin project and furniture lines;  2)  growth
in  Internet  revenues, which is typically  lower-gross
margin  business  than  the traditional  and  specialty
segments; and 3) an increase in specialty segment gross
margin,  benefited  by gross margin  expansion  in  the
Childcraft  division  (driven  by  improved   operating
efficiencies) and the acquisition of Global Video, LLC,
which  has higher gross margins than most of our  other
specialty businesses.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling,  general  and administrative expenses  include
selling  expenses  (the most significant  component  of
which  is  sales  wages  and  commissions),  operations
expenses  (which  includes customer service,  warehouse
and   outbound   transportation  costs   on   warehouse
shipments),  catalog  costs and general  administrative
overhead    (which   includes   information    systems,
accounting,  legal,  human  resources,  marketing   and
purchasing expense).

Selling,  general and administrative expenses increased
2.7%  from $56.2 million or 24.3% of revenues  for  the
three  months ended October 23, 1999, to $57.7  million
or 24.0% of revenues for the three months ended October
28,   2000.  The  increase  in  selling,  general   and
administrative  expenses  was  primarily  due   to   an
increase   in  variable  costs  related  to   increased
revenues  and investments in infrastructure to  develop
the  Internet segment. The decrease in

<PAGE>

selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  as  a
percent of revenues was primarily due to a reduction in
general  corporate expense  combined   with   increased
operating efficiencies in the traditional and specialty
segments.

Interest Expense

Interest  expense,  net of interest  income,  increased
$0.9 million from $3.7 million or 1.5% of revenues  for
the three months ended October 23, 1999 to $4.6 million
or  1.8% of revenues for the three months ended October
28,   2000.   The  increase  in  interest  expense  was
primarily  due  to a slight increase in  our  effective
borrowing  rate  and an increase in debt  due  to  debt
assumed  and  cash  paid to acquire Global  Video,  LLC
during the first quarter of fiscal 2001.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision  for income taxes for the three months  ended
October  28,  2000 decreased 0.5% or $0.5 million  over
the  three  months  ended October 23, 1999,  reflecting
income  tax  rates  of 44.5% and 47.1%  for  the  three
months  ended  October 28, 2000 and October  23,  1999,
respectively.  The effective tax rate of 44.5%  in  the
second  quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared to 47.1%  in
the  second  quarter of fiscal 2000 is due  to  reduced
state  taxes  and a smaller percentage impact  of  non-
deductible goodwill amortization. The higher  effective
tax  rate,  compared to the federal statutory  rate  of
35.0%, was primarily due to state income taxes and non-
deductible goodwill amortization.

Six  Months Ended October 28, 2000 Compared to the  Six
Months Ended October 23, 1999

Revenues

Revenues increased 7.4% from $425.9 million for the six
months  ended October 23, 1999, to $457.6  million  for
the  six  months ended October 28, 2000.   Increase  in
revenues was primarily driven by growth in all segments
of  the  business.  The specialty segment  grew  13.6%,
traditional  3.9%  and the Internet  segment  delivered
$16.9  million  in  revenues. Growth in  the  specialty
segment revenues was primarily due to increased  market
penetration,   an   increase  in  proprietary   product
offering   and   revenues,  and  the  June   30,   2000
acquisition of Global Video, LLC.

Gross Profit

Gross  profit  increased 5.6% from  $155.8  million  or
36.6% of revenues for the six months ended October  23,
1999 to $164.6 million or 36.0% of revenues for the six
months  ended October 28, 2000.  The increase in  gross
profit  was  primarily due to an increase in  revenues.
The  change in gross profit as a percent of revenue was
due  primarily  to  1) product mix in  the  traditional
segment, driven by revenue growth in the lighter-margin
project  and  furniture  lines and  2)  improvement  in
Internet   gross  margins,  which  were   affected   by
promotional pricing during the first quarter.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling,  general and administrative expenses increased
7.8%  from $104.5 million or 24.6% of revenues for  the
six months ended October 23, 1999, to $112.7 million or
24.7% of revenues for the six months ended October  28,
2000.    The   increase   in   selling,   general   and
administrative  expenses  was  primarily  due   to   an
increase  in  revenues and investment in  the  Internet
segment.   The   change   in   selling,   general   and
administrative  expenses as a percent of  revenues  was
primarily due to growth in the specialty segment, which
typically    has    higher   selling,    general    and
administrative  expenses as a  percentage  of  revenues
than our other business segments, and expenses incurred
in  developing the Internet segment. These  incremental
expenses   were  offset  by  a  reduction  in   general
corporate expenses.

Interest Expense

Interest expense, net of interest income, increased
$1.4 million from $6.8 million or 1.6% of revenues for
the six months ended October 23, 1999 to $8.2 million
or 1.7% of revenues for the six months ended October
28, 2000.  The increase in interest expense was
primarily attributed to a slight increase in our
effective borrowing rate and an increase in debt due to
debt assumed and cash paid to acquire Global Video, LLC
during the first quarter of fiscal 2001.

<PAGE>

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision  for  income taxes for the six  months  ended
October  28,  2000 decreased 6.0% or $1.3 million  over
the  six  months  ended  October 23,  1999,  reflecting
income  tax rates of 44.7% and 47.0% for the six months
ended   October   28,  2000  and  October   23,   1999,
respectively. The effective tax rate of  44.7%  in  the
second  quarter of fiscal 2001 as compared to 47.0%  in
the  second  quarter of fiscal 2000 was due to  reduced
state  taxes  and a smaller percentage impact  of  non-
deductible goodwill amortization. The higher  effective
tax  rate,  compared to the federal statutory  rate  of
35.0%, is primarily due to state income taxes and  non-
deductible goodwill amortization.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At  October 28, 2000, we had working capital of  $167.9
million.  Our  capitalization at October 28,  2000  was
$462.5  million and consisted of debt of $213.4 million
and stockholders' equity of $249.1 million.

We  have  a  five-year secured $350  million  revolving
credit  facility with Bank of America, N.A.  The credit
facility has a $100 million term loan payable quarterly
over   five  years  commencing  in  January  1999   and
revolving  loans  which mature on September  30,  2003.
The amount outstanding as of October 28, 2000 under the
credit   facility  was  approximately  $212.5  million,
consisting  of  $136.1  million outstanding  under  the
revolving  loan  portion  of  the  facility  and  $76.4
million outstanding under the term loan portion of  the
facility.  Borrowings  under the  credit  facility  are
usually  significantly  higher  during  our  first  and
second  quarters to meet the working capital  needs  of
our  peak  selling season. To accommodate our  business
growth,  we  have made and we intend, as necessary,  to
make  immaterial changes to certain financial and other
covenants under the credit facility.

On  October 28, 1998, we entered into an interest  rate
swap  agreement with the Bank of New York covering  $50
million  of  the  outstanding  credit  facility.    The
agreement fixed the 30 day LIBOR interest rate at 4.37%
per  annum on a $50 million notional amount and  had  a
three year term that was cancelable by the Bank of  New
York  on  the  second anniversary.  As of  October  28,
2000,  our effective interest rate on borrowings  under
our  credit  facility was approximately 8.9%  excluding
the effect of the swap agreement and 8.4% including the
effect of the swap agreement.  On October 30, 2000, the
Bank of New York canceled the swap agreement.

We  anticipate  that our cash flow from operations  and
borrowings available from our existing credit  facility
will  be  sufficient to meet our liquidity requirements
for   our  operations  (including  anticipated  capital
expenditures) and our debt service obligations for  the
remainder of the fiscal year.

During the six months ended October 28, 2000, net  cash
used  in operating activities was $11.5 million.   This
net  use  of  cash by operating activities  during  the
period is indicative of the high seasonal nature of our
business, with sales occurring in the first and  second
quarters  of the fiscal year and cash receipts  in  the
second  and third quarters.  Net cash used in investing
activities  was $36.3 million, including $31.3  million
for   an  acquisition  and  $6.9  million  for  capital
expenditures,  offset by $2.5 million in proceeds  from
the  sale  of  a closed warehouse facility.   Net  cash
provided  by  financing activities was  $49.5  million,
which  consisted  primarily  of  borrowings  under  our
credit facility.

During the six months ended October 23, 1999, net  cash
used  in operating activities was $17.3 million.   This
net  use  of  cash by operating activities  during  the
period is indicative of the high seasonal nature of our
business, with sales occurring in the first and  second
quarters  of the fiscal year and cash receipts  in  the
second  and third quarters.  Net cash used in investing
activities was $9.7 million, including $1.1 million for
an  acquisition  and  $7.8  million  for  additions  to
property and equipment.  Net cash provided by financing
activities was $23.5 million, which consisted primarily
of borrowings under our credit facility.

Subsequent Events

On  October 30, 2000, our interest rate swap  agreement
with  the Bank of New York was canceled by the Bank  of
New  York under the terms of the October 28, 1998  swap
agreement. The agreement, which fixed the 30-day  LIBOR
interest  rate  at  4.37% per annum on  a  $50  million
notional  amount, was for a three-year term, cancelable
by the Bank on the second anniversary.

<PAGE>

On  November  3, 2000, we entered into a sale/leaseback
transaction for our distribution centers in  Mansfield,
Ohio  and Agawam, Massachusetts. The transaction netted
approximately $17.5 million in cash, which was used  to
reduce borrowings under our credit facility.

On  November 13, 2000, we signed a letter of intent  to
sell  Don  Gresswell,  Ltd.,  a  U.K.  subsidiary.  The
proposed transaction, a sale of stock for approximately
$4.7   million   in   cash,  is  subject   to   certain
contingencies  and  is expected to  close  in  December
2000.

On  November 22, 2000, we purchased the net  assets  of
the  wholesale  division of J.L. Hammett  Company.  The
purchase  price,  which  is  subject  to  change,   was
approximately $79.0 million and will result in goodwill
of   approximately  $45.0  million.  As  part  of   the
agreement,   we  entered  into  five-year   non-compete
agreements  with  two management shareholders  of  J.L.
Hammett Company for cash consideration of $2.8 million.
The  transaction and non-compete agreements were funded
through borrowings under our existing credit facility.

In November 2000, we entered into an agreement to sell,
on a revolving basis, an interest in a defined pool of
trade accounts receivable. At November 22, 2000 a $50
million interest was sold under this agreement with
proceeds used to reduce the amount outstanding on our
credit facility. The borrowing rate on the trade
accounts receivable interest is expected to be lower
than the average rate on our credit facility.


Fluctuations in Quarterly Results of Operations

Our  business  is  subject to seasonal influences.  Our
historical   revenues  and  profitability   have   been
dramatically  higher in the first two quarters  of  our
fiscal  year  (May-October) primarily due to  increased
shipments  to  customers coinciding with the  start  of
each school year.

Quarterly  results also may be materially  affected  by
the timing of acquisitions, the timing and magnitude of
costs  related to such acquisitions, variations in  our
costs  for  the products we sell, the mix  of  products
sold  and  general economic conditions.  Moreover,  the
operating  margins  of companies  acquired  by  us  may
differ substantially from our own margins, which  could
contribute  to  further fluctuation  in  our  quarterly
operating results.  Therefore, results for any  quarter
are  not  indicative of the results that we may achieve
for  any subsequent fiscal quarter or for a full fiscal
year.

Inflation

Inflation  has  and is expected to have  only  a  minor
affect  on  our results of operations and our  internal
and external sources of liquidity.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements  in  this  report  which  are  not  strictly
historical  are "forward looking."  In accordance  with
the  Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of  1995,
we  can  obtain  a  "safe-harbor"  for  forward-looking
statements  by  identifying  those  statements  and  by
accompanying    those   statements   with    cautionary
statements  which  identify factors  that  could  cause
actual  results to differ materially from those in  the
forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, the foregoing
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis  of  Financial
Condition and Results of  Operations" contains  certain
forward-looking statements relating to growth plans and
projected  revenues, earnings and  costs.   Our  actual
results  may differ materially from those contained  in
the  forward-looking statements herein.  Factors  which
may  cause  such  a difference to occur  include  those
factors  identified  in  Item 1,  "Business  -  Forward
Looking  Statements," contained in the  Company's  Form
10-K  for the year ended April 29, 2000, which  factors
are incorporated herein by reference to such Form 10-K.

ITEM  3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk

For  information as to our Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures  about Market Risk, please see  our  Annual
Report  on  Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending  April
29,  2000.  There have been no material changes in  our
quantitative  or qualitative exposure  to  market  risk
since the end of fiscal 2000.

<PAGE>

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2.   Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

          On    August    31,    2000,   the    Company
          reincorporated from Delaware to Wisconsin, as
          more fully described in the Company's current
          report  on  Form  8-K dated August 31,  2000,
          which is incorporated herein by reference.

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

(a)       On August 29, 2000, we held our Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

(b)       Not applicable.

(c)       The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held to:

     (1)  Elect two directors to serve until the 2003 Annual
          Meeting of Stockholders as Class II directors;

     (2)  Vote upon a proposal to reincorporate School
          Specialty in Wisconsin under a Merger Agreement which
          will merge the current Delaware corporation into a
          newly formed Wisconsin corporation and wholly owned
          subsidiary of School Specialty;

     (3)  Vote upon a proposal to amend and restate School
          Specialty's 1998 Stock Incentive Plan; and

     (4)  Ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as
          School Specialty's independent auditors for fiscal 2001.

   The  results  of  these proposals, which  were  voted
      upon at the Annual Meeting, are as follows:

   (1)  Election of Class II Directors
                                       For          Withheld

        (1) David J. VanderZanden      15,583,268   33,344

        (2) Rochelle Lamm              15,583,772   32,840

   (2)  Reincorporation
                                 For         Against    Abstain  Broker Non-Vote

         Change from Delaware
         to Wisconsin            10,004,927  3,061,429  19,778   2,530,478

   (3)  1998 Stock Incentive Plan
                                 For         Against    Abstain  Broker Non-Vote

         Amend and Restate       9,664,126   3,401,241  20,767   2,530,478

   (4)  Ratification of
        Independent Auditors
                                      For           Against    Abstain
         PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP   15,582,584    26,003     8,025

(d) Not applicable.

<PAGE>

ITEM 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)       Exhibits.

          See "Index to Exhibits" which is incorporated herein by reference.

(b)       The Company filed one report on Form 8-K during
          the quarter covered by this report as follows:

          (1)  Form 8-K dated August 31, 2000, filed on
               September 1, 2000 under Items 5 and 7. The
               Company changed its state of incorporation
               from Delaware to Wisconsin.

<PAGE>

                      SIGNATURES

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

                                SCHOOL SPECIALTY, INC.
                                (Registrant)


            12/04/2000          /s/ Daniel P. Spalding
            Date                --------------------------------
                                Daniel P. Spalding
                                Chairman of the Board,
                                Chief Executive Officer
                                (Principal Executive Officer)


            12/04/2000          /s/ Mary M. Kabacinski
            Date                --------------------------------
                                Mary M. Kabacinski
                                Executive Vice President,
                                Chief Financial Officer
                                (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

<PAGE>

                   INDEX TO EXHIBITS



     Exhibit No.    Description

     3.1            Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant incorporated
                    by reference to Appendix B of the School Specialty, Inc.
                    definitive Proxy Statement dated July 24, 2000.

     3.2            By-Laws of the Registrant, incorporated by reference to
                    the Registrant's current report on Form 8-K dated
                    August 31, 2000.

    10.1(a)         Agreement of Purchase and Sale between SSI Agawam, L.L.C.
                    as Purchaser and School Specialty Inc. as Seller

    10.1(b)         Lease Between SSI Agawam, L.L.C., As Landlord, and
                    School Specialty Inc. a Wisconsin Corporation, as Tenant

    10.1(c)         Agreement of Purchase and Sale between SSI Mansfield,
                    L.L.C. as Purchaser and School Specialty Inc. as Seller

    10.1(d)         Lease Between SSI Mansfield, L.L.C., As Landlord, and
                    School Specialty Inc. a Wisconsin Corporation, as Tenant

    21.1            Subsidiaries of School Specialty, Inc.

    27.1            Financial Data Schedule





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