SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA INC
S-8, 1998-11-18
RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>
 
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 18, 1998



                                                     Registration No. 333-



                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                ---------------

                                   FORM S-8
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                           Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.

            (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)


              GEORGIA                                   58-0612397
   (State or Other Jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
    Incorporation or Organization)


    ONE TECHNOLOGY PARKWAY, SOUTH                       30092-2967
         NORCROSS, GEORGIA                              (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)


                  1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN, AS AMENDED

                           (Full Title of the Plan)


         James F. McDonald       Please address a copy of all communications to:
       Chief Executive Officer
       Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.                 William E. Eason, Jr., Esq.
    One Technology Parkway, South               Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
       Norcross, Georgia 30092                One Technology Parkway, South
(Name and Address of Agent For Service)          Norcross, Georgia  30092
                                                Telephone:  (770) 903-5000

          (770) 903-5000
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, 
       of Agent for Service)


                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Proposed      Proposed
  Title of                   Maximum        Maximum
 Securities       Amount     Offering      Aggregate     Amount of
   to be           to be      Price        Offering     Registration
 Registered     Registered  Per Share(1)    Price            Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common
Stock, Par
Value $0.50     1,500,000   $16.9375     $25,406,250     $7,063.00
Per Share       shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)   Calculated pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h)(1), based on the average of
      the high and low sale prices ($16.9375 per share) of the Common Stock of
      the Registrant on the New York Stock Exchange on November 12, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
                     STATEMENT UNDER GENERAL INSTRUCTION E

                     REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES


        This Registration Statement pertains to additional shares of
Registrant's common stock that may be issued pursuant to the 1996 Employee Stock
Option Plan, as amended effective November 11, 1998 (the "Amended Plan").  The
Amended Plan was effective November 11, 1998 and unless otherwise noted herein,
the contents of Registrant's Form S-8 Registration Statement (File No. 333-
18893) relating to Registrant's 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan prior to its
amendment are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement on Form
S-8.



                                    PART II

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS


      The exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement are as follows:


Exhibit Number         Description of Exhibit
- --------------         ----------------------

    4             1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, As Amended Effective November
                  11, 1998

    5             Opinion of William E. Eason, Jr., General Counsel of
                  Registrant, as to the legality of the securities being
                  registered

   23.1           Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

   23.2           Consent of William E. Eason, Jr. (included in the opinion
                  filed as Exhibit 5)

   24             Power of Attorney authorizing James F. McDonald and Wallace G.
                  Haislip to sign amendments to this Registration Statement on
                  behalf of officers and directors of the Registrant (contained
                  on Signature Page of Registration Statement)

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                 SIGNATURES



          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in Gwinnett County, State of Georgia, on this 18th day of November,
1998.



                                 SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.


                                 By:  /s/ James F. McDonald
                                      ---------------------
                                      JAMES F. MCDONALD, PRESIDENT AND
                                      CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------

          KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints James F. McDonald and Wallace G. Haislip,
jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with power of
substitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to
this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with the exhibits thereto,
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-
fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.



/s/ James F. McDonald                             November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
JAMES F. MCDONALD, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF            Date
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR
(PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)



/s/ Wallace G. Haislip                            November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
WALLACE G. HAISLIP, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT-        Date
FINANCE, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND TREASURER
(PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER)



/s/ Julian W. Eidson                              November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
JULIAN W. EIDSON                                  Date
VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER
(PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER)



                      [Signatures continued on next page]

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                  [Signatures continued from preceding page]



/s/ Marion H. Antonini                            November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
MARION H. ANTONINI                                Date
DIRECTOR



/s/ David W. Dorman                               November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
DAVID W. DORMAN                                   Date
DIRECTOR



/s/ William E. Kassling                           November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           ------------------
WILLIAM E. KASSLING                               Date
DIRECTOR



/s/ Mylle Bell Mangum                             November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
MYLLE BELL MANGUM                                 Date
DIRECTOR



- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
DAVID J. MCLAUGHLIN                               Date
DIRECTOR



/s/ James V. Napier                               November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
JAMES V. NAPIER                                   Date
DIRECTOR



/s/ Sam Nunn                                      November 18, 1998
- ---------------------------------------           -----------------
SAM NUNN                                          Date
DIRECTOR

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibits
- --------


4       1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, As Amended Effective November 11, 1998

5       Opinion of William E. Eason, Jr., General Counsel of Registrant, as to
        the legality of the securities being registered

23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

23.2    Consent of William E. Eason, Jr. (included in the opinion filed as
        Exhibit 5)

24      Power of Attorney authorizing James F. McDonald and Wallace G. Haislip
        to sign amendments to this Registration Statement on behalf of officers
        and directors of the Registrant (contained on Signature Page of
        Registration Statement)

                                       1

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 4









                           SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.

                        1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN




                                       As amended by the Board of Directors on
                                                             November 11, 1998

 
<PAGE>
 
                           SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.
                           ------------------------

                        1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN
                        -------------------------------


       1.  PURPOSE.
           ------- 

       This Plan is intended to provide incentive to key Employees of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries, to encourage proprietary interest in the
Corporation by its Employees, to encourage such key Employees to remain in the
employ of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, and to attract new Employees
with outstanding qualifications.

       2.  DEFINITIONS.
           ----------- 

       Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, the
capitalized terms used herein shall have the following meanings:



            (a) "Administrator" shall mean the officer of the Corporation
                 -------------                                           
       appointed by the Committee pursuant to Section 4 hereof.

            (b) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
                 -----                                                       

            (c) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
                 ----                                                           

            (d) "Committee" shall mean the Human Resources and Compensation
                 ---------                                                 
       Committee, a committee appointed by the Board.

            (e) "Common Stock" shall mean, unless otherwise specifically
                 ------------                                           
       provided, the common stock of the Corporation and any class of common
       shares of the Corporation into which such common stock may hereafter be
       converted, exchanged or reclassified.

            (f) "Corporation" shall mean Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., a Georgia
                 -----------                                                
       corporation.

            (g) "Disability" shall mean the condition of an individual who is
                 ----------                                                  
       unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
       physical or mental impairment which is classified as a disability in the
       Corporation's Long Term Disability Plan.

            (h) "Employee" shall mean an individual who is employed (within the
                 --------                                                      
       meaning of Section 3401 of the Code and the regulations thereunder) by
       the Corporation or a Subsidiary (i.e., an individual with respect to whom
                                        ----                                    
       income taxes must be withheld from compensation), but who is not an
       officer of the Corporation.

            (i) "Exercise Price" shall mean the price per Share of Common Stock,
                 --------------                                                 
       determined by the Committee, at which an Option may be exercised.
<PAGE>
 
            (j) "Fair Market Value" shall mean the value of one (1) Share of
                 -----------------                                          
       Common Stock, and shall be equal to the closing sale price as reported on
       the New York Stock Exchange Composite on the date of valuation or, if no
       sale occurred on that date, then the mean between the closing bid and
       asked prices on such exchange on such date.  If the Common Stock ceases
       to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, then the Fair Market Value
       on the date of valuation shall be determined in good faith by the
       Committee, and such determination shall be conclusive and binding on all
       persons.  If the date of valuation is not a business day, the closing
       price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite on the last
       business day preceding the date of valuation shall be utilized.

            (k) "Option" shall mean any stock option granted pursuant to this
                 ------                                                      
       Plan.  All Options shall be granted on the date the Committee takes the
       necessary action to approve the grant.  However, if the minutes or other
       action of the Committee provide that an Option is to be granted as of
       another date, the date of grant shall be such other date.

            (l) "Option Agreement" shall mean a written stock option agreement
                 ----------------                                             
       evidencing a particular Option.

            (m) "Optionee" shall mean an Employee who has received an Option.
                 --------                                                    

            (n) "Plan" shall mean this Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. 1996 Employee
                 ----                                                        
       Stock Option Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

            (o) "Purchase Price" shall mean the Exercise Price times the number
                 --------------                                                
       of Shares with respect to which an Option is exercised.

            (p) "Retirement" shall mean voluntary termination of employment
                 ----------                                                
       after the date on which the Employee (i) has completed five (5) years of
       service with the Corporation, and (ii) the sum of the Employee's age and
       years of service with the Corporation is equal to sixty-five (65).

            (q) "Share" shall mean one (1) share of Common Stock, adjusted in
                 -----                                                       
       accordance with Section 9 of this Plan (if applicable).

            (r) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation at least fifty percent
                 ----------                                                   
       (50%) of the total combined voting power of which is owned by the
       Corporation or by another Subsidiary.

       3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.
           -------------- 

       This Plan was adopted by the Board effective November 13, 1996. This Plan
shall terminate as provided in Section 8 below.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
       4.  ADMINISTRATION.
           -------------- 

            (a) Committee.  Unless otherwise determined by the Board from time
                ---------                                                     
       to time, Option grants under this Plan shall be made by the Committee.
       Acts of a majority of the Committee at a meeting at which a quorum is
       present, or acts reduced to or approved in writing by the unanimous
       consent of the members of the Committee, shall be the valid acts of the
       Committee.

            The Committee shall from time to time at its discretion select the
       Employees who are to be granted Options, determine the number of Shares
       to be optioned to each Optionee and set the terms of the Options.  No
       member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination
       made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any Option granted
       hereunder.

            (b) Administrator.  The Committee shall appoint an officer of the
                -------------                                                
       Corporation as the Administrator of the Plan.  The Administrator shall
       have full authority to construe, interpret and administer the Plan, and,
       except as to matters which are expressly reserved herein for
       determination by the Board or the Committee, the Administrator's
       decisions and determinations in the administration of the Plan shall be
       final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including, without
       limitation, the Corporation, the shareholders and directors of the
       Corporation and any persons having any interests in any Options granted
       under this Plan.

       5.  PARTICIPATION.
           ------------- 

       The Optionees shall be those key Employees of the Corporation or the
Subsidiaries to whom Options may be granted from time to time by the Committee.

       6.  STOCK.
           ----- 

       The stock subject to Options granted under this Plan shall be Shares of
the Corporation's authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock.  The
aggregate number of Shares which may be issued upon exercise of Options under
this Plan shall not exceed Three Million (3,000,000).  The number of Shares
subject to Options outstanding at any time shall not exceed the number of Shares
remaining available for issuance under this Plan.  Whenever an Optionee's rights
to exercise an Option as to any Shares shall cease for any reason before he or
she has exercised such Option as to such Shares, the Option shall be deemed
terminated to that extent and such Shares shall again be available for issuance
under this Plan.  The limitations established by this Section 6 shall be subject
to adjustment in the manner provided in Section 9 hereof upon the occurrence of
an event specified in Section 9.

       7.  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
           ------------------------------- 

            (a) Stock Option Agreements.  Options shall be evidenced by written
                -----------------------                                        
       Option Agreements in such form as the Committee shall from time to time
       determine.  Such Option Agreements shall comply with and be subject to
       the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
            (b) Option Exercisable.  Except as otherwise provided in this Plan,
                ------------------                                             
       Options held by an Optionee may be exercised only while the Optionee is
       employed by the Corporation or a Subsidiary.

            (c) Number of Shares.  Each Option shall state the number of Shares
                ----------------                                               
       to which it pertains.

            (d) Exercise Price.  Each Option shall state the Exercise Price,
                --------------                                              
       which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
       The Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section
       9 hereof.

            (e) Medium and Time of Payment.  Upon the exercise of any Option,
                --------------------------                                   
       the Purchase Price shall be paid in full in United States dollars by
       certified check or other form of payment acceptable to the Administrator;
       provided, however, that if the applicable Option Agreement so provides,
       or the Committee, in its sole discretion otherwise approves thereof, the
       Purchase Price may be paid, (i) by the surrender of Shares, in good form
       for transfer, owned by the person exercising the Option and having a Fair
       Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Purchase Price, or (ii)
       in any combination of cash and Shares, as long as the sum of the cash so
       paid and the Fair Market Value of the Shares so surrendered equals the
       Purchase Price.

            In the event the Corporation determines that it is required to
       withhold state or Federal income tax as a result of the exercise of an
       Option, as a condition to the exercise thereof an Optionee must make
       arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator to enable it to satisfy
       such withholding requirements.  Payment of such withholding requirements
       may be made, at the election of the Optionee, (i) in cash, (ii) by
       delivery of Shares registered in the name of Optionee, which Shares have
       a Fair Market Value at the time of exercise equal to the amount to be
       withheld, (iii) by the Corporation withholding Shares subject to the
       Option, which Shares have a Fair Market Value at the time of exercise
       equal to the amount to be withheld, or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii)
       and (iii) above.

            (f) Term and Time for Exercise.  Each Option shall state the time or
                --------------------------                                      
       times when all or part thereof becomes exercisable.  No Option shall be
       exercisable more than ten (10) years (or less, in the discretion of the
       Committee) from the date it was granted.  If the Committee does not
       determine otherwise, any Option granted under this Plan:

                  (1) Shall be exercisable as to not more than 25% of the total
            number of Shares covered by the Option immediately upon, and during
            the year following, the date of the grant;

                  (2) Shall be exercisable as to not more than 50% of the total
            number of Shares covered by the Option on, and during the year
            following, the first anniversary of the date of grant;

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                  (3) Shall be exercisable as to not more than 75% of the total
            number of Shares covered by the Option on, and during the year
            following, the second anniversary of the date of grant; and

                  (4) Shall be fully exercisable on the third anniversary of the
            date of grant and thereafter prior to expiration of the Option.

            If the Committee does not determine otherwise with respect to any
       Option granted hereunder, in the event that the employment of the
       Optionee by the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the Corporation
       terminates for any reason whatsoever, other than death or Retirement,
       prior to the Option(s) held by that person becoming fully exercisable as
       provided above, such Option(s) shall automatically expire with respect to
       the unexercisable portion on the date of termination of employment
       without any further action or documentation.

            (g) Non-transferability of Options.  During the lifetime of the
                ------------------------------                             
       Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall
       not be assignable or transferable. In the event of the Optionee's death,
       the Option shall not be transferable by the Optionee other than by will
       or the laws of descent and distribution.  Any other attempted alienation,
       assignment, pledge, hypothecation, attachment, execution or similar
       process, whether voluntary or involuntary, with respect to all or any
       part of any Option or right hereunder, shall be null and void and, at the
       Corporation's option, shall cause all of the Optionee's rights under the
       Option to terminate.

            (h) Change in Control of the Corporation.
                ------------------------------------ 

                  (1) Contrary Provisions.  Notwithstanding anything contained
                      -------------------                                     
            in this Plan to the contrary, in the event of a Change in Control,
            the provisions of this Subsection 7(h) shall govern and supersede
            any inconsistent terms or provisions of this Plan.

                  (2) Change in Control.  For purposes of this Plan, a "Change
                      -----------------                                       
            in Control" shall mean any of the following events:

                       (a) The acquisition in one or more transactions by any
                  "Person" (as the term person is used for purposes of Section
                  13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                  amended (the "1934 Act")), of "Beneficial Ownership" (within
                  the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the 1934 Act) of
                  twenty percent (20%) or more of the combined voting power of
                  the Corporation's then outstanding voting securities (the
                  "Voting Securities"), provided, however, that for purposes of
                                        --------  -------                      
                  this Subsection 7(h)(2)(a), the Voting Securities acquired
                  directly from the Corporation by any Person shall be excluded
                  from the determination of such Person's Beneficial Ownership
                  of Voting Securities (but such Voting Securities shall be
                  included in the calculation of the total number of Voting
                  Securities then outstanding); or

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                       (b) The individuals who are members of the Incumbent
                  Board (as hereinafter defined), cease for any reason to
                  constitute at least two-thirds of the Board for purposes of
                  this Subsection 7(h)(2)(b).  The "Incumbent Board" shall
                  include the individuals who as of August 20, 1990 are members
                  of the Board and any individual becoming a director subsequent
                  to August 20, 1990 whose election, or nomination for election
                  by the Corporation's stockholders, was approved by a vote of
                  at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising the
                  Incumbent Board; provided, however, that any individual who is
                                   --------  -------                            
                  not a member of the Incumbent Board at the time he or she
                  becomes a member of the Board shall become a member of the
                  Incumbent Board upon the completion of two full years as a
                  member of the Board; provided, further, however, that
                                       --------  -------  -------      
                  notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual shall be
                  considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual
                  initially assumed office (i) as a result of either an actual
                  or threatened "election contest" (within the meaning of Rule
                  14a-11 promulgated under the 1934 Act) or other actual or
                  threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
                  of a Person other than the Board (a "Proxy Contest"), or (ii)
                  with the approval of the other Board members, but by reason of
                  any agreement intended to avoid or settle a Proxy Contest; or

                       (c) Approval by stockholders of the Corporation of (i) a
                  merger or consolidation involving the Corporation if the
                  stockholders of the Corporation immediately before such merger
                  or consolidation do not own, directly or indirectly,
                  immediately following such merger or consolidation, more than
                  eighty percent (80%) of the combined voting power of the
                  outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting
                  from such merger or consolidation in substantially the same
                  proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities
                  immediately before such merger or consolidation, or (ii) a
                  complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation or an
                  agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or
                  substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.

                       Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall
                  not be deemed to occur solely because twenty percent (20%) or
                  more of the then outstanding Voting Securities is acquired by
                  (i) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under one
                  or more employee benefit plans maintained by the Corporation
                  or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) any corporation which,
                  immediately prior to such acquisition, is owned directly or
                  indirectly by the stockholders of the Corporation in the same
                  proportion as their ownership of stock in the Corporation
                  immediately prior to such acquisition.



                       Moreover, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in
                  Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                  Person (the "Subject Person") acquired Beneficial Ownership of
                  more than the permitted amount of the outstanding Voting
                  Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities
                  by the Corporation which, by reducing the number of Voting
                  Securities outstanding, increases the proportional number of
                  shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided,
                                                                   -------- 
                  that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation
                  of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Voting
                  Securities by the Corporation, and after such share
                  acquisition by the Corporation, the Subject Person becomes the
                  Beneficial Owner of any additional Voting Securities which
                  increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting
                  Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a
                  Change in Control shall occur.

                       Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the
                  contrary, if a Change in Control takes place and an Optionee's
                  employment is terminated prior to the completed Change in
                  Control and the Optionee reasonably demonstrates that such
                  termination (i) was at the request of a third party who has
                  indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to
                  effect a Change in Control and who effectuates a Change in
                  Control or (ii) otherwise occurred in connection with or in
                  anticipation of a Change in Control which actually occurs,
                  then for all purposes of this Plan, the date of a Change in
                  Control in respect of such Optionee shall mean the date
                  immediately prior to the date of termination of such
                  Optionee's employment.

                  (3) Time for Exercise Upon a Change in Control.  Upon a Change
                      ------------------------------------------                
            in Control, all options granted under this Plan that are held by
            Employees at the time of such Change in Control shall become
            immediately exercisable in full, without regard to the years that
            have elapsed from the date of grant.

                  (4) Termination of Employment Following Change in Control.  If
                      -----------------------------------------------------     
            an Optionee's employment terminates following a Change in Control
            other than for "cause" (as hereinafter defined), the applicable
            provisions of Subsection 7(i) of this Plan shall apply except that
            as of and after the date of the Change in Control, the Administrator
            shall not make any determination or take any action in connection
            with an Optionee's termination of employment which would cause any
            option granted under this Plan (i) to not be exercisable in full or
            (ii) to expire earlier than the latest date allowable under
            Subsection 7(i) as applicable.

                  (5) Amendment or Termination.
                      ------------------------ 

                       (a) Subsection 7(h) of this Plan shall not be amended or
                  terminated at any time.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                       (b) Any amendment or termination of this Plan prior to a
                  Change in Control which (1) was at the request of a third
                  party who has indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably
                  calculated to effect a Change in Control, or (2) otherwise
                  arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in
                  Control, shall be null and void and shall have no effect
                  whatsoever.



            (i) Cessation of Employment; etc.  After an Optionee ceases to be an
                ----------------------------                                    
       Employee, his or her rights to exercise any unexercised Option then held
       by the Optionee shall be determined as provided in this Subsection 7(i).
       No Option may be exercised after its term expires or the Option is
       otherwise canceled.

                  (1) Retirement.  If an Optionee ceases to be an Employee
                      ----------                                          
            because of Retirement (and not on account of termination for "cause"
            (as hereinafter defined)), such Optionee may exercise the Option
            immediately with respect to (i) the Shares which he or she could
            have purchased at the time of Retirement, and (ii) any Shares which
            would have become available for purchase under the Option if the
            Optionee's employment had continued for one year after the date of
            Retirement.  To the extent unexercised, the Option shall expire two
            (2) years after the date of Retirement or the date of expiration of
            the Option as shown in the applicable Option Agreement, whichever
            shall occur first.

                  (2) Death.  If the Committee does not determine otherwise with
                      -----                                                     
            respect to any Option, upon the death of an Employee who at the time
            of his or her death holds an Option, the Option shall be exercisable
            immediately (by the executor or the administrator of the deceased
            Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise
            the option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of such death)
            with respect to (i) the Shares which could have been purchased by
            the deceased Optionee at the time of his or her death, and (ii) any
            Shares which would have become available for purchase under the
            Option if the Optionee's employment had continued for one year after
            the date of death.  To the extent unexercised, the Option shall
            expire (i) one year after the date of such death, or (ii) in the
            event of death following termination of employment by reason of
            Retirement as described in Subsection 7(i)(1) immediately above, the
            expiration date of the Option after Retirement, whichever occurs
            last.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in a
            special case, permit a longer period for exercise of an Option after
            death of an Optionee, but in no event shall such period extend
            beyond the date of expiration of the Option as set forth in the
            Option Agreement.

                  (3) Disability.  If an Optionee ceases active service as an
                      ----------                                             
            Employee by reason of Disability, such Optionee shall have the right
            to exercise the Option at any time within twelve (12) months after
            such cessation of employment, but except as provided in the
            applicable Option Agreement, only to the extent that, at the date of
            such cessation of employment, the Optionee's right to exercise such
            Option

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
            had accrued pursuant to the terms of the applicable Option Agreement
            and had not previously been exercised.

                  (4) Termination for Cause.  If an Optionee's employment is
                      ---------------------                                 
            terminated for "cause" (as hereinafter defined), such Optionee's
            Option(s) shall expire immediately upon the giving to such Optionee
            of the notice of such termination.  "Cause," for purposes of this
            Subsection 7(i), shall mean dishonest or fraudulent conduct which
            would normally be considered as sufficient basis for discharging an
            employee from a management and/or a supervisory position, or
            negligence, inaction or misconduct which constitutes failure by the
            Optionee to meet such Optionee's obligations and perform such
            Optionee's duties of employment.

                  (5) Other Reasons.  If an Optionee  ceases to be an Employee
                      -------------                                           
            for any reason other than those mentioned above in Subsections (1),
            (2), (3) or (4), the Optionee shall have the right to exercise the
            Option at any time within thirty (30) days following such cessation,
            discharge or termination, but, except as otherwise provided in the
            applicable Option Agreement, only to the extent that, at the date of
            cessation, discharge or termination, the Optionee's right to
            exercise such Option had accrued pursuant to the terms of the
            applicable Option Agreement and had not previously been exercised.

                  (6) Leave of Absence.  An Optionee's employment with the
                      ----------------                                    
            Corporation shall not be considered as having been terminated while
            the Optionee is on military or sick leave or other bona fide leave
            of absence (such as temporary employment by the Government) if the
            period of such leave does not exceed ninety (90) days, or, if
            longer, so long as the Optionee's right to re-employment with the
            Corporation is guaranteed either by statute or by contract.  Where
            the period of such leave exceeds ninety (90) days and where the
            Optionee's rights to re-employment is not guaranteed either by
            statute or by contract, the Optionee's employment will be deemed to
            have terminated on the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave.

            (j) Rights as a Stockholder.  No one shall have rights as a
                -----------------------                                
       stockholder with respect to any Shares covered by his or her Option until
       the date of the issuance of a stock certificate for such Shares.  No
       adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary,
       whether in cash, securities or other property), distributions or other
       rights for which the record date is prior to the date such stock
       certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 9 hereof.

            (k) Modification, Extension and Renewal of Options.  Within the
                ----------------------------------------------             
       limitations of this Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or renew
       outstanding Options or accept the cancellation of outstanding Options (to
       the extent not previously exercised) for the granting of new Options in
       substitution therefor.  The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of
       an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter or impair any
       rights or obligations under any Option previously granted.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
            (l) Other Provisions.  The Option Agreements authorized under this
                ----------------                                              
       Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with the terms of
       this Plan as the Committee shall deem advisable (including, without
       limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Option or subjecting
       the Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option to rights of
       repurchase by the Corporation).

            (m) Substitution of Option.  Notwithstanding any inconsistent
                ----------------------                                   
       provisions or limits under this Plan, in the event the Corporation
       acquires (whether by purchase, merger or otherwise) all or substantially
       all of the outstanding capital stock or assets of another corporation by
       any reorganization or other transaction qualifying under Section 425 of
       the Code, the Committee may, in accordance with the provisions of that
       Section, substitute options under this Plan for options under the plan of
       the acquired company provided (i) the excess of the aggregate Fair Market
       Value of the Shares subject to an Option immediately after the
       substitution over the aggregate Option Price of such Shares is not more
       than the similar excess immediately before such substitution and (ii) the
       new Option does not give persons additional benefits, including any
       extension of the exercise period.

       8.  TERM OF PLAN.
           ------------ 

       Options may be granted pursuant to this Plan until the expiration of this
Plan on November 13, 2001.

       9.  RECAPITALIZATIONS.
           ----------------- 

       The number of Shares covered by this Plan as provided in Section 6
hereof, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding Option and the Exercise
Price thereof shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in
the number of issued Shares resulting from a subdivision or consolidation of
Shares or the payment of a stock dividend (but only of Common Stock) or any
other increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without
receipt of consideration by the Corporation.

       Unless provisions are made for the continuance of this Plan or the
assumption by, or the substitution for outstanding Options of new options
covering the stock of, a successor employer corporation, or a parent or
subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of
shares and prices, in the event of any merger, consolidation, reorganization,
liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation, or any exchange of Shares, each
outstanding Option shall automatically be deemed to pertain to the securities
and other property to which a holder of the number of Shares covered by the
Option would have been entitled to receive in connection with any such event,
and shall no longer pertain to the Shares.  A dissolution or liquidation of the
Corporation shall cause each outstanding Option to terminate.

       To the extent that the foregoing adjustments relate to securities of the
Corporation, such adjustments shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
       Except as expressly provided in this Section 9, the Optionee shall have
no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of
any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease
in the number of shares of stock of any class or by reason of any dissolution,
liquidation, merger or consolidation or spin-off of assets or stock of another
corporation, and any issue by the Corporation of shares of stock of any class,
or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect,
and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or
Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Option.

       The grant of an Option pursuant to this Plan shall not affect in any way
the right or power of the Corporation to make adjustments, reclassifications,
reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or
consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its
business or assets.

       10.  SECURITIES LAW REQUIREMENTS.
            --------------------------- 

            (a) Securities Act Requirements.  No Option granted pursuant to this
                ---------------------------                                     
       Plan shall be exercisable in whole or in part, and the Corporation shall
       not be obligated to sell any Shares subject to any such Option, if such
       exercise and sale would, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation,
       violate the Securities Act of 1933 (or other Federal or State statutes
       having similar requirements) as it may be in effect at that time.

            As a condition to the issuance of any Shares upon exercise of an
       Option under this Plan, the Administrator may require the Optionee to
       furnish a written representation that he is acquiring the shares for
       investment and not with a view to distribution to the public.  Such
       representations shall be required in cases where, in the opinion of the
       Administrator, they are necessary to enable the Corporation to comply
       with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and any shareholder
       who gives such representation shall be released from it at such a time as
       the shares to which it applies are registered pursuant to the Securities
       Act of 1933.

            (b) Listing and Regulatory Requirements.  Each Option shall be
                -----------------------------------                       
       subject to the further requirements that if at any time the Committee
       shall determine in its discretion that the listing or qualification of
       the shares of stock subject to such Option under any securities exchange
       requirements or under any applicable law, or the consent or approval of
       any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a
       condition of, or in connection with, the granting of such Option or the
       issue of Shares thereunder, such Option may not be exercised in whole or
       in part unless and until such listing, qualification, consent or approval
       shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not
       acceptable to the Committee.

       11.  AMENDMENT OF THIS PLAN.
            ---------------------- 

       The Board may from time to time, with respect to any Shares at the time
not subject to Options, suspend or discontinue this Plan or revise or amend it
in any respect whatsoever.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
       12.  APPLICATION OF FUNDS.
            -------------------- 

       The proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be used for general corporate
purposes.

       13.  EXECUTION.
            --------- 

       To record the adoption of this Plan by the Board on November 13, 1996,
and its most recent amendment on November 11, 1998, the Corporation has caused
this Plan to be executed by its authorized officers.


                                 SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC.



                                 By:  /s/ Brian C. Koenig
                                      --------------------------------
                                      Brian C. Koenig,
                                      Senior Vice President - Human 
                                      Resources



                                 By:  /s/ William E. Eason, Jr.
                                      ---------------------------------
                                      William E. Eason, Jr.
                                      Senior Vice President, General 
                                      Counsel and Corporate Secretary

                                       12

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5


                     [Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Letterhead]

November 18, 1998

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
One Technology Parkway, South
Norcross, Georgia 30092-2967

Re:   1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, As Amended Effective November 11, 1998
      Registration Statement Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As General Counsel of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the
"Company"), I am furnishing this opinion in connection with the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a Registration Statement
on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") registering 1,500,000 shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.50 per share (the "Common Stock"), for
issuance under the Company's 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended
effective November 11, 1998, to non-officer employees of the Company pursuant to
option grants.

I have examined such records and documents and made such examination of law as I
have deemed relevant in connection with this opinion.  Based on the foregoing, I
am of the opinion that the 1,500,000 shares covered by such Registration
Statement, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Prospectus forming a
part of the Registration Statement, will be legally issued, fully-paid and
nonassessable.

I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the above-
referenced Registration Statement.

Respectfully submitted

/s/ William E. Eason, Jr.

William E. Eason, Jr.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.'s Form S-8 Registration Statement of our
report dated August 4, 1998, appearing on page 11 of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.'s
Form 10-K for the year ended June 26, 1998.



/S/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
November 17, 1998


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