UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.   )

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SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

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Scholastic 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012-3999 (212) 343-6100
www.scholastic.com

 

SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock:

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Scholastic Corporation (the “Company”) will be held at the Company’s corporate headquarters located at 557 Broadway, New York, New York on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, at 9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

 

Matters to be voted upon by holders of the Class A Stock

 

1.Electing eight directors to the Board of Directors

 

2.Approval of the Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan

 

Matters to be voted upon by holders of the Common Stock

 

1.Electing three directors to the Board of Directors

 

and such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.

 

A proxy statement describing the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders is attached to this notice. Only stockholders of record of the Class A Stock and the Common Stock at the close of business on July 26, 2013 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and any adjournments thereof.

 

We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting. Whether or not you plan to be present at the meeting, we urge you to vote your shares promptly. You can vote your shares in three ways:

 

via the Internet at the website indicated on your proxy card;

 

via telephone by calling the toll free number on your proxy card; or

 

by returning the enclosed proxy card.

 

  By order of the Board of Directors
   
   
   
  Andrew S. Hedden
  Secretary
  August 7, 2013
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Solicitation of Proxies 1
General Information 1
Voting Securities of the Company 3
Principal Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock 4
Change of Control Arrangement for Certain Class A Stockholders 7
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 8
Share Ownership of Management 9
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation 11
Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report 11
Compensation Discussion and Analysis 11
Summary Compensation Table 22
Outstanding Equity Awards at May 31, 2013 24
Option Exercises and Stock Vested 25
Pension Benefits 27
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table 27
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control 28
Equity Compensation Plan Information 34
Stock Ownership Guidelines 34
Matters Submitted to Stockholders 35
Proposal 1 – Election of Directors 35
Nominees for Election by Holders of Class A Stock 36
Nominees for Election by Holders of Common Stock 36
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight 42
Meetings of the Board and its Committees 42
Corporate Governance 45
Director Compensation 51
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings 52
Proposal 2 – Approval of the Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan 52
Independent Registered Public Accountants 56
Audit Committee’s Report 57
Stockholder Proposals for 2014 Annual Meeting 57
Other Matters 57
Appendix A: Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan A-1
 

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials
for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on September 18, 2013

 

This Proxy Statement and the Annual Report to Stockholders are available at
www.proxyvote.com

 

SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
557 Broadway
New York, New York 10012-3999

 

 

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

 

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
September 18, 2013

 

 

 

SOLICITATION OF PROXIES

 

General Information

 

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Scholastic Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to be voted at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which will be held at 557 Broadway, New York, New York at 9:00 a.m., local time, on Wednesday, September 18, 2013, and at any adjournments thereof.

 

The Company has made available to you over the Internet or delivered paper copies of this proxy statement, a proxy card and the Annual Report to Stockholders (of which the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K is a part) in connection with the Annual Meeting. The Company is using the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that allow companies to furnish their proxy materials over the Internet. As a result, the Company is mailing to many of its stockholders a notice about the Internet availability of the proxy materials instead of a paper copy of the proxy materials. All stockholders receiving the notice will have the ability to access the proxy materials over the Internet, as well as to request a paper copy by mail, by following the instructions in the notice. In addition, the notice contains instructions for electing to receive proxy materials over the Internet or by mail in future years.

 

This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy, together with the Company’s Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013 (the “Annual Report”), are being mailed to those stockholders who are not receiving the notice concerning Internet availability on or about August 7, 2013.

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Shares represented by each proxy properly submitted, either by mail, the Internet or telephone as indicated on the enclosed form of proxy, will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated on such proxy unless revoked. A stockholder may revoke a proxy at any time before it is exercised by:

 

delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written revocation thereof or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date;

 

providing subsequent telephone or Internet voting instructions; or

 

voting in person at the Annual Meeting.

 

Any written notice revoking a proxy should be sent to the attention of Andrew S. Hedden, Corporate Secretary, Scholastic Corporation, 557 Broadway, New York, New York 10012-3999.

 

If you are a Common Stockholder of record submitting a proxy, and no instructions are specified, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the directors.

 

If you are a Common Stockholder and you hold your shares beneficially through a broker, bank or other holder of record submitting a proxy, and no instructions are specified, your shares will NOT be voted FOR the election of the directors.

 

If you are a Class A Stockholder submitting a proxy, and no instructions are specified, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the directors and FOR the approval of the Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan.

 

By submitting a proxy, you authorize the persons named as proxies to use their discretion in voting upon any other matter brought before the Annual Meeting. The Company does not know of any other business to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

 

SEC rules permit the Company to deliver only one copy of the proxy statement or the notice of Internet availability of the proxy statement to multiple stockholders of record who share the same address and have the same last name, unless the Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of such stockholders. This delivery method, called “householding,” reduces the Company’s printing and mailing costs. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive or have Internet access to separate proxy cards.

 

If you are a stockholder of record and wish to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement, now or in the future, at the same address, or you are currently receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement at the same address and wish to receive a single copy, please write to or call the Corporate Secretary, Scholastic Corporation, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, telephone: (212) 343-6100.

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Beneficial owners sharing an address who are currently receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials or notice of Internet availability of the proxy materials and wish to receive a single copy in the future, or who currently receive a single copy and wish to receive separate copies in the future, should contact their bank, broker or other holder of record to request that only a single copy or separate copies, as the case may be, be delivered to all stockholders at the shared address in the future.

 

The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Solicitation other than by mail may be made personally or by telephone, facsimile or e-mail by regularly employed officers and employees who will not be additionally compensated for such solicitation. The Company may also reimburse brokers, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to principals.

 

Voting Securities of the Company

 

Only holders of record of the Company’s Class A Stock, $0.01 par value (“Class A Stock”), and Common Stock, $0.01 par value (“Common Stock”), at the close of business on July 26, 2013 (the “Record Date”) are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 1,656,200 shares of Class A Stock and 30,199,971 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate”) provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, the holders of shares of the Class A Stock (the “Class A Stockholders”), voting as a class, have the right to: (i) fix the size of the Board so long as it does not consist of less than three nor more than 15 directors; (ii) elect all the directors, subject to the right of the holders of shares of Common Stock, voting as a class, to elect such minimum number of the members of the Board as shall equal at least one-fifth of the members of the Board; and (iii) exercise, exclusive of the holders of shares of Common Stock, all other voting rights of stockholders of the Company. The Certificate also provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, the voting rights of the holders of shares of Common Stock are limited to the right, voting as a class, to elect such minimum number of the members of the Board as shall equal at least one-fifth of the members of the Board.

 

Each share of Class A Stock and Common Stock is entitled to one vote. No holders of either class of stock have cumulative voting rights. At the Annual Meeting, the Class A Stockholders will vote on the election of eight members of the Board and the holders of Common Stock will vote on the election of three members of the Board. The other proposal set forth in the notice attached to this proxy statement for consideration at the Annual Meeting will be voted on by the Class A Stockholders only. If any other matters were to properly come before the Annual Meeting, they would be voted on by the Class A Stockholders.

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The vote required for the election of directors and in respect of the action to be taken under the other proposal is specified in the description of each such proposal. In the election of directors, withheld votes and abstentions have no effect on the vote. Under the Company’s Bylaws, for the purpose of determining whether a proposal has received the required vote, abstentions will not be considered as votes cast and will have no effect. Because none of the shares of Class A Stock are held by brokers, the effect of broker non-votes is not applicable in the case of the Class A Stock. Because the only proposal before Common Stockholders is the election of three directors, the effect of broker non-votes is not applicable in the case of the Common Stock.

 

Principal Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock

 

The following table sets forth information regarding persons who, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, beneficially owned five percent or more of the Class A Stock or the Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date. Under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, a person who directly or indirectly has, or shares, voting power or investment power with respect to a security is considered a beneficial owner of such security. Voting power is the power to vote or direct the voting of shares, and investment power is the power to dispose of or direct the disposition of shares. In computing the number of shares and percentage beneficially owned by any stockholder, shares of Class A Stock or Common Stock subject to options or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) held by that person that are currently exercisable or vested or become exercisable or vested within 60 days of the Record Date are included. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage owned by any other person.

 

   Class A Stock  Common Stock
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
  Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership
(1)
  Percent of
Class
  Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership
(2)
  Percent of
Class
Richard Robinson
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
    3,155,200       100 %     6,391,676 (3)     18.9 %
Barbara Robinson Buckland
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
    648,620       39.2 %     2,495,712       8.1 %
Mary Sue Robinson Morrill
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
    765,296       46.2 %     3,132,063 (4)     10.1 %
William W. Robinson
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
    648,620       39.2 %     2,585,265 (5)     8.4 %
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   Class A Stock   Common Stock
Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
  Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership
(1)
  Percent of
Class
  Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership
(2)
  Percent of
Class
Florence Robinson Ford
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
   648,620    39.2%   2,473,457    8.0%
Andrew S. Hedden
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
   648,620    39.2%   2,451,258(6)   7.9%
Trust under the Will of
Maurice R. Robinson
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
   648,620    39.2%   2,331,712    7.6%
Trust under the Will of
Florence L. Robinson
c/o Scholastic Corporation
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
   116,676    7.0%   466,676    1.5%
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 E. Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
           1,578,785(7)   5.2%
Blackrock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
           1,891,521(8)   6.3%
Royce & Associates
745 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10151
           3,234,699(9)   10.7%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, TX 78746
           2,607,344(10)   8.6%
Fairpointe Capital
1 N. Franklin Ste. 3300
Chicago, IL 60606
           1,666,448(11)   5.5%

 

 

(1) Each of Richard Robinson, Barbara Robinson Buckland, Mary Sue Robinson Morrill, William W. Robinson, Florence Robinson Ford, Andrew S. Hedden and the Trust under the Will of Maurice R. Robinson (the “Maurice R. Robinson Trust”) have filed Statements on Schedule 13G with the SEC (the “13G Filings”) regarding beneficial ownership of Common Stock. Richard Robinson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Barbara Robinson Buckland, Mary Sue Robinson Morrill, William W. Robinson and Florence Robinson Ford, all of whom are siblings of Richard Robinson, and Andrew S. Hedden, a director and executive officer of the Company, are trustees of the Maurice R. Robinson Trust, with shared voting and investment power with respect to the shares owned by the Maurice R. Robinson Trust. Under the terms of the Maurice R. Robinson Trust, the vote of a majority of the trustees is required to vote or direct the disposition of the shares held by the Maurice R. Robinson Trust. In addition, Richard Robinson and Mary Sue Robinson Morrill are the co-trustees of the Trust under the Will of Florence L. Robinson (the “Florence L. Robinson Trust”), with shared voting and investment power with respect to the shares owned by the Florence L. Robinson Trust. Any acts by the Florence L. Robinson Trust require the approval of each trustee. Each such trust directly owns the shares attributed to it in the table and each person listed herein as a trustee of such trust is deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares directly owned by such trust. Based on their 13G Filings and subsequent information made
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  available to the Company, the aggregate beneficial ownership of the Class A Stock on the Record Date by the following persons was: Richard Robinson—2,389,904 shares (sole voting and investment power), which includes 1,499,000 shares issuable under options to purchase Class A Stock (“Class A Options”) exercisable by Mr. Robinson within 60 days of the Record Date, and 765,296 shares (shared voting and investment power); Barbara Robinson Buckland—648,620 shares (shared voting and investment power); Mary Sue Robinson Morrill—765,296 shares (shared voting and investment power); William W. Robinson—648,620 shares (shared voting and investment power); Florence Robinson Ford—648,620 shares (shared voting and investment power); Andrew S. Hedden—648,620 shares (shared voting and investment power); Maurice R. Robinson Trust—648,620 shares (sole voting and investment power); and Florence L. Robinson Trust—116,676 shares (sole voting and investment power).
   
(2) The shares of Class A Stock are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of Common Stock at any time on a share-for-share basis. The number of shares of Common Stock and percentage of the outstanding shares of Common Stock for each beneficial owner of Class A Stock assumes the conversion of such holder’s shares of Class A Stock (including the 1,499,000 shares issuable under the Class A Options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date, in the case of Mr. Robinson) into shares of Common Stock. Based on their 13G Filings and subsequent information made available to the Company, the aggregate beneficial ownership of Common Stock on the Record Date by the following holders was: Richard Robinson—3,593,288 shares (sole voting and investment power), which includes the 1,499,000 shares under the Class A Options exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date held by Mr. Robinson, and 2,798,388 shares (shared voting and investment power); Barbara Robinson Buckland—164,000 shares (sole voting and investment power) and 2,331,712 shares (shared voting and investment power); Mary Sue Robinson Morrill—3,132,063 shares (shared voting and investment power); William W. Robinson—205,045 shares (sole voting and investment power) and 2,380,220 shares (shared voting and investment power); Florence Robinson Ford—141,745 shares (sole voting and investment power) and 2,331,712 shares (shared voting and investment power); Andrew S. Hedden—119,546 shares (sole voting and investment power) and 2,331,712 shares (shared voting and investment power); Maurice R. Robinson Trust—2,331,712 shares (sole voting and investment power); and Florence L. Robinson Trust—466,676 shares (sole voting and investment power).
   
(3) Includes 3,155,200 shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of the Class A Stock (including the 1,499,000 shares issuable under the Class A Options) described in Notes 1 and 2 above; 621,267 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Robinson; 437,500 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by Mr. Robinson within 60 days of the Record Date, including 187,500 options that are in a grantor retained annuity trust for the benefit of Mr. Robinson; 9,466 shares of Common Stock with respect to which Mr. Robinson had voting rights on the Record Date under the Scholastic Corporation 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”); 1,683,092 shares of Common Stock owned by the Maurice R. Robinson Trust; 350,000 shares of Common Stock owned by the Florence L. Robinson Trust; 33,316 shares of Common Stock for which Mr. Robinson is custodian under a separate custodial account for his two sons; 27,191 shares of Common Stock owned by the Richard Robinson Charitable Fund; and 74,644 unvested RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the Management Stock Purchase Plan (the “MSPP”). Does not include an additional 60,165 unvested RSUs under the MSPP. The 621,267 shares held directly by Mr. Robinson are pledged to a bank as collateral for a personal loan.
   
(4) Does not include an aggregate of 300,935 shares of Common Stock held under Trusts for which Ms. Morrill’s spouse is the trustee and 2,350 shares held by her daughter-in-law, as to which Ms. Morrill disclaims beneficial ownership.
   
(5) Does not include 16,550 shares of Common Stock held under trusts for which Mr. William Robinson’s spouse is a trustee and 64,728 shares held directly by his spouse, as to which Mr. Robinson disclaims beneficial ownership.
   
(6) Includes 11,575 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Hedden; 86,247 shares under options exercisable by Mr. Hedden within 60 days of the Record Date under the Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) and the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”); 1,250 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2001 Plan; 20,474 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the MSPP; 648,620 shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of the Class A Stock owned by the Maurice Robinson Trust; and 1,683,092 shares of Common Stock owned by the Maurice R. Robinson Trust. Does not include 18,299
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  unvested RSUs under the MSPP, 1,250 unvested RSUs under the 2001 Plan and 5,589 unvested RSUs under the 2011 Plan.
   
(7) The information for T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“Price Associates”) is derived from a Schedule 13G, dated February 14, 2013, filed with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. These shares are owned by various individual and institutional investors, as to which Price Associates serves as investment adviser with the sole power to direct investments with regard to all such shares and the sole power to vote 206,640 of such shares. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), Price Associates is deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares; however, Price Associates expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such shares.
   
(8) The information for Blackrock, Inc. (“Blackrock”) is derived from a Schedule 13G, dated February 4, 2013, filed with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. Blackrock has the sole power to vote or direct investments with regard to all such shares. Accordingly, for purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Blackrock is deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares. Various persons have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds of the sale of, these shares.
   
(9) The information for Royce & Associates LLC (“Royce”) is derived from a Schedule 13G, dated February 5, 2013, filed with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. Royce has the sole power to vote or direct investments with regard to all such shares. Accordingly, for purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Royce is deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares.
   
(10) The information for Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“Dimensional Fund”) is derived from a Schedule 13G, dated February 8, 2013, filed with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. Dimensional Fund serves as investment adviser to certain investment companies and as investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (collectively, the “Funds”). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund may act as an advisor or subadvisor to certain funds. The Funds own these shares, and in its role as investment advisor, subadvisor and/or manager, Dimensional Fund has the sole power to vote and direct investments with regard to all such shares. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Dimensional Fund is deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares; however, Dimensional Fund expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the beneficial owner of such shares.
   
(11) The information for Fairpointe Capital LLC (“Fairpointe”) is derived from a Schedule 13G, dated February 13, 2013, filed with the SEC reporting beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2012. Fairpointe has the sole power to vote or direct investments with regard to 34,778 of such shares and the shared power to vote or direct investments with regard to 1,631,670 of such shares. Accordingly, for purposes of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Fairpointe is deemed to be a beneficial owner of these shares.

 

Change of Control Arrangement for Certain Class A Stockholders

 

Pursuant to an agreement dated July 23, 1990 between the Maurice R. Robinson Trust and Richard Robinson, the Maurice R. Robinson Trust has agreed that if it receives an offer from any person to purchase any or all of the shares of Class A Stock owned by the Maurice R. Robinson Trust and it desires to accept such offer, Richard Robinson will have the right of first refusal to purchase all, but not less than all, of the shares of Class A Stock that such person has offered to purchase for the same price and on the same terms and conditions offered by such person. In the event Richard Robinson does not elect to exercise such option, the Maurice R. Robinson Trust shall be free to sell such shares of Class A Stock in accordance with the offer it has received. In addition, if Richard Robinson receives an offer from any person to purchase any or all of his shares of Class A Stock and the result of that sale would be to transfer to any person other than Richard Robinson or his heirs voting power sufficient to enable such other person to elect the majority of the Board, either alone

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or in concert with any person other than Richard Robinson, his heirs or the Maurice R. Robinson Trust (a “Control Offer”), and Mr. Robinson desires to accept the Control Offer, the Maurice R. Robinson Trust will have the option to sell any or all of its shares of Class A Stock to the person making the Control Offer at the price and on the terms and conditions set forth in the Control Offer. If the Maurice R. Robinson Trust does not exercise its option, Mr. Robinson will be free to accept the Control Offer and to sell his shares of Class A Stock in accordance with the terms of the Control Offer. If the Maurice R. Robinson Trust exercises its option, Mr. Robinson cannot accept the Control Offer unless the person making the Control Offer purchases the shares of Class A Stock that the Maurice R. Robinson Trust has elected to sell.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers and persons who are the beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Common Stock to file reports of their ownership and changes in ownership of the Company’s equity securities with the SEC. The reporting persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16 reports they file. Based on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and other written representations that no other reports were required during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013, the Company believes all of its directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners timely filed all Section 16(a) reports required during such fiscal year, with the exception of Mr. Hedden and Ms. Mayer, who filed Form 4s in connection with the netting of shares to cover taxes on the vesting of restricted stock units one day after the due date as a result of an internal error.

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Share Ownership of Management

 

On the Record Date, each director, each Named Executive Officer reported under the caption “Executive Compensation” and all directors and executive officers as a group beneficially owned shares of the Class A Stock and Common Stock as set forth in the table below. In computing the number of shares and percentage beneficially owned by any stockholder, shares of Class A or Common Stock subject to options or restricted stock units (“RSUs”) held by that person that are currently exercisable or vested or will become exercisable or vested within 60 days of the Record Date are included. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage owned by any other person.

 

   Class A Stock  Common Stock
Name  Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
(1)
Percent
of
Class
  Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership
(1)
Percent
of
Class
Directors          
Richard Robinson  3,155,200(2) 100%  6,391,676(3) 18.9%
James W. Barge      25,274(4) *
Marianne Caponnetto      12,674(5) *
John L. Davies      49,274(6) *
Andrew S. Hedden  648,620(2) 39.2%  2,451,258(7) 7.9%
Mae C. Jemison      41,878(8) *
Peter M. Mayer      63,524(9) *
John G. McDonald      50,278(10) *
Augustus K. Oliver      54,548(11) *
Richard M. Spaulding      162,632(12) *
Margaret A. Williams      12,674(5) *
Named Executive Officers            
Richard Robinson  3,155,200(2) 100%  6,391,676(3) 18.9%
Maureen O’Connell      267,748(13) 1.0%
Margery Mayer      149,733(14) *
Judith Newman      150,236(15) *
Andrew S. Hedden  648,620(2) 39.2%  2,451,258(7) 7.9%
All directors and executive officers as a group (15 persons)  3,155,200(2) 100%  7,636,173(16) 21.9%

 

 

*Less than 1.0%
  
(1)Except as indicated in the notes below, each person named has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown opposite his or her name.

 

(2)See the information with respect to Richard Robinson and Andrew S. Hedden under “Principal Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock” above. The shares of Class A Stock are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of Common Stock at any time on a share-for-share basis.

 

(3)See the information with respect to Richard Robinson under “Principal Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock” above.

 

(4)Includes 6,000 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Barge, and 18,017 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by Mr. Barge within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the Scholastic Corporation 2007 Outside Directors Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”).
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(5)Includes 2,400 shares held directly by such director, and 9,017 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by such director within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan.

 

(6)Includes 6,000 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Davies, and 42,017 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by Mr. Davies within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan.

 

(7)See the information with respect to Andrew S. Hedden under “Principal Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock” above.

 

(8)Includes 4,604 shares of Common Stock held directly by Dr. Jemison, and 36,017 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by Dr. Jemison within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan.

 

(9)Includes 20,250 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Mayer, and 42,017 shares under options exercisable by Mr. Mayer within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan.

 

(10)Includes 7,004 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. McDonald, and 42,017 shares under options exercisable by Mr. McDonald within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan.

 

(11)Includes 11,274 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Oliver, and 42,017 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by Mr. Oliver within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan

 

(12)Includes 143,358 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Spaulding, and 18,017 shares under options exercisable by Mr. Spaulding within 60 days of the Record Date and 1,257 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2007 Plan.

 

(13)Includes 31,845 shares of Common Stock held directly by Ms. O’Connell, 25 shares of Common Stock owned by Ms. O’Connell’s minor son, 221,959 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by Ms.O’Connell within 60 days of the Record Date and 3,000 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2001 Plan and 10,919 RSUs vested or scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the Scholastic Corporation Management Stock Purchase Plan (“MSPP”). Does not include an additional 13,380 unvested RSUs under the MSPP, 3,000 unvested RSUs under the 2001 Plan and 10,380 unvested RSUs under the 2011 Plan.

 

(14)Includes 42,550 shares of Common Stock held directly by Ms. Mayer, 103,747 shares under options exercisable by Ms. Mayer within 60 days of the Record Date and 2,000 RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2001 Plan and 1,436 RSUs vested or scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the MSPP. Does not include an additional 243 unvested RSUs under the MSPP, 2,000 unvested RSUs under the 2001 Plan and 5,589 unvested RSUs under the 2011 Plan.

 

(15)Includes 22,093 shares of Common Stock held directly by Ms. Newman, 116,547 shares under options exercisable by Ms. Newman within 60 days of the Record Date and 7,700 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2001 Plan, 2,000 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2011 Plan and 1,896 RSUs vested or scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date held under the MSPP. Does not include an additional 5,257 unvested RSUs under the MSPP, 2,000 unvested RSUs under the 2001 Plan and 5,589 unvested RSUs under the 2011 Plan.
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(16)Includes 3,155,200 shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of the Class A Stock (including the 1,499,000 shares issuable under the Class A Options) described in Notes 1 and 2 under “Principal Holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock” above; 1,683,092 shares of Common Stock owned by the Maurice R. Robinson Trust; 350,000 shares of Common Stock owned by the Florence L. Robinson Trust; 33,316 shares of Common Stock for which Mr. Robinson is custodian under a separate custodial account for his two sons and 27,191 shares owned by the Richard Robinson Charitable Fund. Also includes an aggregate of 947,856 shares of Common Stock held directly and 25 shares beneficially owned by all directors and executive officers as a group; an aggregate of 1,285,320 shares of Common Stock under options exercisable by members of the group within 60 days of the Record Date and an aggregate of 28,513 shares underlying RSUs scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the 2001 Plan; an aggregate of 112,660 shares underlying RSUs vested or scheduled to vest within 60 days of the Record Date under the MSPP; and an aggregate of 13,000 shares of Common Stock with respect to which members of the group had voting rights as of the Record Date under the 401(k) Plan. Does not include an aggregate of 102,513 unvested RSUs under the MSPP, an aggregate of 9,250 unvested RSUs under the 2001 Plan and an aggregate of 35,736 unvested RSUs under the 2011 Plan.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

No member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (the “HRCC”) was at any time during fiscal 2013 an officer or employee of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries nor was any such person a former officer of the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries. In addition, no HRCC member is an executive officer of another entity at which an executive officer of the Company serves on the board of directors.

 

Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report

 

The HRCC has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) section of this Proxy Statement. Based on this review and discussion, the HRCC recommended to the Board (and the Board has approved) that the CD&A be included in this Proxy Statement and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.

 

The members of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Scholastic Corporation have provided this report.

 

  John L. Davies, Chairperson
  Marianne Caponnetto
  Peter M. Mayer
  John G. McDonald

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

The Company’s compensation programs for its executive officers and other senior management are administered by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (“HRCC”), which is composed solely of independent directors as defined by NASDAQ rules. The Company’s overall objective is to maintain a compensation system that fosters the short-term and long-term goals of the Company and its stockholders.

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The HRCC generally consults with management regarding employee compensation matters. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, working with the Company’s Human Resources Department, makes annual compensation recommendations to the HRCC for executive officers (other than himself) and senior management, including the Named Executive Officers. The Company’s compensation programs have been adopted in order to implement the HRCC’s compensation philosophy discussed below, while taking into account the Company’s financial position and financial performance. They have been developed with the assistance of the Human Resources Department, as well as independent executive compensation consultants retained by the HRCC. A description of the composition and procedures of the HRCC is set forth under “Meetings of the Board and its Committees-Human Resources and Compensation Committee” and “Corporate Governance-HRCC Procedures” in “Matters Submitted to Stockholders-Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” below.

 

The HRCC regularly reviews the Company’s compensation programs and considers appropriate methods to tie the executive compensation program to performance and to further strengthen management’s alignment with stockholders.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

Pay Competitively   The Company’s goal is to provide a competitive framework, taking into account the financial position and performance of the Company, individual contributions, teamwork, divisional or group contributions and the external market in which the Company competes for executive talent.
    The Company, through competitive compensation policies, strives to foster the continued development of the Company’s operating segments, which in turn builds stockholder value.
    In determining the compensation of its Named Executive Officers, the Company seeks to achieve its compensation objectives through a combination of fixed and variable compensation.
    The Company reviews the executive compensation of a broad group of companies in the publishing, media and education industries for comparative purposes. The companies included in the compensation peer group are selected based upon several criteria, including size of company by revenues, relevant industry and other factors.
Pay for Performance   The Company’s compensation practices are designed to create a direct link between the aggregate compensation paid to each Named Executive Officer and the overall financial performance of the Company.
    As applicable to business unit executives, the performance of a specific business unit for which an executive is responsible, or group of which such business unit is a part, may also be used to create a link between the achievement of divisional and group financial goals and the overall financial performance of the Company.
Executives as
Stockholders
  The Company’s compensation practices are also designed to link a portion of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation opportunity directly to the value of the Common Stock through the use of stock-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock units.
12

Peer Group Analysis

 

The Company reviews the compensation practices of selected peer companies to use as a general frame of reference, but it does not formally benchmark its compensation against that of such peer companies. The peer companies to which the Company has looked to gauge its competitiveness for these purposes have included but were not limited to the following: Barnes & Noble Inc., Career Education Corporation, Meredith Corporation, Pearson plc, Reed Elsevier plc, E. W. Scripps Company, The Washington Post Company and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Additionally, in analyzing its executive compensation, from time to time the Company reviews general industry compensation surveys, provided by consulting firms, as well as more focused surveys covering a broad base of media companies.

 

Components of Executive Compensation

 

The following table provides a brief overview of each of the elements of compensation. A more detailed description of each compensation element follows this table.

 

Compensation
Element
  Objective   Key Features
Fixed        
Base Salary To establish a fixed level of compensation principally tied to day-to-day responsibilities Base salary is determined taking into account several factors, including individual job performance, salary history, internal equity, competitive external market conditions for recruiting and retaining executive talent, the scope of the executive’s position and level of experience, changes in responsibilities, responsibility for larger, more difficult to manage or more complex initiatives, such as new product development, or positions that require considerable creative talent, creative marketing capability or digital skills, or the management of those providing such creative content, marketing and digital expertise.
Variable        
Annual
Performance-Based
Cash Bonus Awards
To provide a reward based upon the achievement of the Company’s financial, operating and strategic goals established for the year Through the use of annual bonus awards, the HRCC ties a significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total potential compensation to Company performance which, in the case where the executive officer is responsible for an operating unit of the Company, may also include business unit or segment performance, as well as group performance.
Long-Term
Incentive
Compensation
To align the long-term interests of the executives and the Company’s stockholders Stock options, which typically vest ratably over four years, producing value for executives and employees only if the Common Stock price increases over the exercise price.
  Restricted stock units, which convert automatically into shares of Common Stock on a 1-to-1 basis upon vesting, generally over a four year period, serving as a retention tool as well as increasing stock ownership.
Other Equity-Based
Incentives and
Benefit Plans
To attract and retain highly qualified executives The Company’s executives participate in the 401(k) Plan on the same terms as all employees.
  The ESPP provides a method for all employees, including executives, to purchase Common Stock at a 15% discount.
  The MSPP permits senior management to defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual cash bonus payments in order to acquire restricted stock units at a 25% discount.
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Base Salary

 

Base salaries are reviewed annually in the context of the HRCC’s consideration of the effect of base compensation on recruiting and retaining executive talent. In establishing each executive officer’s base salary, including those of the Named Executive Officers, the HRCC considers several factors, including individual job performance, salary history, internal equity, competitive external market conditions for recruiting and retaining executive talent, the scope of the executive’s position and level of experience, changes in responsibilities, responsibility for larger, more difficult to manage or more complex initiatives, such as new product development, or positions that require considerable creative talent, creative marketing capability or digital skills or the management of those providing such creative content, marketing and digital expertise. In considering annual base salary increases, Company financial performance is also taken into consideration.

 

Consistent with the Company’s policy for all employees, salaries for executive officers and senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, are reviewed annually in either July or September and any increases, based on the compensation objectives discussed above, are generally effective on October 1 of each year. In May 2012, the HRCC’s independent compensation consultant conducted a review of market comparisons. No market adjustments to base salary for fiscal 2013 were recommended as a result of this review. However, a base salary adjustment of $9,500 was made for one Named Executive Officer, Ms. Newman, to compensate her for the discontinuance, commencing in January 2013, of an automobile maintenance allowance which had previously been provided to her. In May 2013, a further review of market comparisons was conducted by such compensation consultant in preparation for the fiscal 2014 annual salary review, which review, including any salary recommendations for the Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2014, will be conducted and considered by the HRCC at its September 2013 meeting.

 

Annual Performance-Based Cash Bonus Awards

 

The HRCC ties a meaningful portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total potential compensation to Company performance, which, in the case where a Named Executive Officer is responsible for an operating unit of the Company, may also include business unit, segment or group performance, through the use of annual cash bonus awards. In setting financial and operating performance targets, which are established early in the fiscal year, the HRCC considers Company-wide strategic and operating plans and, where applicable, those of the executive’s business unit, segment or group. In each case, whether considering the Company as a whole or an executive’s business unit, segment or group, the HRCC considers the budget for the next fiscal year and sets specific incentive targets that are directly linked to the Company’s financial performance or that of the business unit, segment or group. The continued focus of the annual bonus element of compensation has been to align the interests of senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, with the Company’s financial, operating and strategic goals for the year, and in the case of fiscal

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2013, to primarily encourage and reward the achievement of Company-wide goals. In the context of the Company’s key financial and operating goals for fiscal 2014, the emphasis for the annual bonus awards will continue to be focused on overall Company performance, as well as group performance if targets are exceeded, as further described below under “EPIP Revisions and Fiscal 2014 Targets.”

 

Potential bonus awards for senior management and other eligible employees are set and determined under the Company’s Management Incentive Program (“MIP”) or, in the case of selected executives, including the Named Executive Officers, under the Executive Performance Incentive Plan (“EPIP”), which is designed to be exempt from the application of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) as discussed below under “Regulatory Considerations.” Under the EPIP, the Company retains the discretion to decrease, but not increase, the total bonus paid to a Named Executive Officer. Upon the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer, made at the time annual fiscal year targets are established, targets may also be established to reflect certain other Company objectives, such as revenue growth, expense management, strategic development, organizational effectiveness or demonstration of the achievement of certain cross-departmental company or specific individual goals.

 

Fiscal 2013 Targets

 

On July 17, 2012, the HRCC set the fiscal 2013 annual EPIP bonus targets for the Named Executive Officers, primarily based on Company-wide goals, focusing on the objective of meeting the Company’s fiscal 2013 operating plan, in particular the Operating Income target. The EPIP provided for a corporate bonus pool to be funded based upon the achievement of the Corporate Operating Income target, and the bonuses for all of the Named Executive Officers under the EPIP were to be solely based on achievement of that corporate metric up to the maximum bonus opportunity. Corporate Operating Income was defined for this purpose as the Company’s net revenues less total operating costs and expenses from continuing operations as reported in the Company’s audited financial statements, excluding one-time charges. Discontinued operations are not included for this purpose. In the event that the Corporate Operating Income target was achieved, Named Executive Officers were able to earn between 100% and 150% of target based on corporate or business unit or segment operating profit, as relevant to the particular Named Executive Officer.

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Bonus Potentials and Payouts for Fiscal 2013

 

For each of the Named Executive Officers, individual EPIP bonus potentials for fiscal 2013 were dependent upon the achievement of Company or business unit or segment targets as indicated in the table below, with the potential bonus payout for each executive ranging from 0% to 150% of the target bonus amount.

 

Funding Metrics Corporate Operating Income
less than or equal to target
  Corporate Operating Income
greater than target
         Group/Division Operating Profit
Participants Corporate
Operating
 Income
Division
Operating
Profit
  Corporate
Operating
 Income
Group Division Operating
 Profit Relative
Contributions
Named Executive Officers (Children’s Book Group)

 

100%

 

0%

 

 

0%

70%
(Overall Children’s
Book Group
Operating Profit)

 

30%

Named Executive Officers (Business) 100% 0%  0% N/A 100%
Named Executive Officers (Staff) 100% 0%  100% N/A 0%

 

Target bonus amounts are stated as a percent of base salary. As part of the annual compensation review referred to in the base salary discussion above, for fiscal 2013 target bonus amounts were increased for certain of the Named Executive Officers to increase the percentage of at risk target compensation. Mr. Robinson’s target bonus was increased from 120% to 125% of base salary. Ms. O’Connell’s target bonus was increased from 90% to 95% of base salary. Mr. Hedden’s target bonus was increased from 70% to 75% of base salary. Target bonuses for Ms. Mayer and Ms. Newman were increased from 60% to 65% of base salary.

 

For fiscal 2013, the Company did not meet the Corporate Operating Income target, and accordingly, the threshold for bonus payout was not achieved and none of the Named Executive Officers received a bonus in respect of fiscal 2013 under the EPIP.

 

Special Incentive Bonus for Fiscal 2013

 

The HRCC separately approved a special incentive bonus for Maureen O’Connell in the amount of $450,000, for her successfully achieving targeted results in directing a significant company-wide cost cutting initiative.

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EPIP Revisions and Fiscal 2014 Targets

 

As discussed above, the annual bonus awards are generally designed to reward for Company-wide measurable performance, as well as certain other indicators of performance. With respect to fiscal 2014, the HRCC has again set the EPIP performance targets for the Named Executive Officers primarily based on Company-wide goals, focusing on the objective of meeting the Company’s fiscal 2014 operating plan. A corporate bonus pool will be funded based upon the achievement of the Corporate Operating Income target, and the EPIP bonuses for all of the Named Executive Officers will be solely based on achievement of that corporate metric up to the maximum bonus opportunity. Assuming the Corporate Operating Income target is met for fiscal 2014, the portion of the corporate bonus pool resulting from any performance above target will then be proportionally divided based on Corporate Operating Profit and, for certain of the Named Executive Officers, the Division or Group Operating Profit relative contribution in accordance with the table below. Corporate Operating Income is defined for this purpose as the Company’s net revenues less total operating costs and expenses from continuing operations as reported in the Company’s audited financial statements, excluding non-standard items (e.g., one-time items as discussed in earnings calls, legal or tax settlements, changes to accounting policies or impaired assets). Achievement of Group Operating Profit for those of the Named Executive Officers in the Children’s Book Group or Education Group, as well as other senior management in such Groups, will be based on Group Operating Profit.

 

 Funding Metrics  Corporate Operating Income
less than or equal to target
 Corporate Operating Income
greater than target
Participants Corporate
Operating
Income
Group
Operating
Income
Corporate
Operating
Income
Group
Operating
Income
Named Executive Officers
(Children’s Book Group
and Education Group)
100% 0% 0% 100%
Named Executive Officers
(Staff)
100% 0% 100% 0%

 

In the event the Corporate Operating Income target is exceeded, for fiscal 2014 the bonus pool may be increased to fund up to a maximum of 150% of the target amount from the bonus pool for purposes of the EPIP. While individual payouts can be adjusted based on individual performance, in no case can the sum of all individual payouts exceed the total of the available corporate bonus pool. Also, if the corporate bonus pool is not funded by at least 25% of its target amount, a discretionary pool may, if determined by the HRCC, be funded within the range of 20-25% of the actual funding to be used for retention purposes for the top 10-20% highest performing employees based on recommendations to the HRCC resulting from individual performance analyses by the Human Resources Department. In the event such a discretionary pool was funded and used to pay bonuses to Named Executive Officers, such bonuses would not be covered under the EPIP.

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Long-Term Incentive Compensation

 

The HRCC, which is comprised solely of independent directors as defined by NASDAQ rules, determines the awards of long-term compensation through equity incentives (in the form of stock options and restricted stock units) granted to executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers and senior management, as well as other eligible employees.

 

The practice of the HRCC is to consider:

 

Annual equity grants to key employees, including the Named Executive Officers and other executive officers and members of senior management, at its regularly scheduled meeting in either July or September.

 

Equity grants at other times depending upon circumstances such as promotions, new hires or special considerations.

 

From September 2001 through July 2011, most of the equity awards were made under the Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”), which provided for the grant of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Only non-qualified stock options and restricted stock units were granted under the 2001 Plan, which expired in July 2011. Certain of the Named Executive Officers also have stock options remaining outstanding under the Scholastic Corporation 1995 Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”), which expired in September 2005 and provided only for the grant of non-qualified stock options. The Company currently makes its grants of stock options and restricted stock units under the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), which was approved by the Board in July 2011 and by the Class A stockholders in September 2011.

 

The HRCC has determined that its current practice should continue to be to generally consider the award of restricted stock units and stock options, including a combination of both in appropriate cases, which determination reflects the desire to maintain a strong long-term equity component in executive compensation and to reduce, through the restricted stock unit component, the number of equity units required to provide such component. Accordingly, the Company currently utilizes grants of stock options, restricted stock units or a combination of both to qualified executives, including the Named Executive Officers. The HRCC is considering the addition of performance based restricted stock units where appropriate going forward; however, such performance based units are unlikely to be introduced during fiscal 2014.

 

Options to Purchase Common Stock and Restricted Stock Units

 

During fiscal 2013, the HRCC only granted equity-based awards to fulfill contractual obligations or agreements relating to a small number of newly-hired employees. These grants were made in the form of stock options, restricted stock units or a combination of both. Stock options produce value for executives and employees only if the Common Stock price increases over the exercise price, which is set at the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, calculated as the average of the high and low prices on the date of grant.

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The Company historically has calculated the exercise price of stock options by this method, which it believes gives a fair market value and eliminates price fluctuations during the day that the grant is made. Also, through vesting and forfeiture provisions, both stock options and restricted stock units create incentives for executive officers and senior management not yet eligible for retirement to remain with the Company. Stock options granted by the HRCC normally vest in 25% annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date and expire after ten years.

 

Restricted stock units granted under the 2011 Plan convert automatically into shares of Common Stock on a one-to-one basis upon vesting. The 2011 Plan does not permit the deferral of restricted stock units, and the vesting of time-based restricted stock units is generally in four equal annual installments beginning with the first anniversary of the date of grant.

 

During fiscal 2013, the HRCC determined that, other than to fulfill agreements with respect to newly-hired employees, it would defer making customary equity grants to other key employees, including the Named Executive Officers and other executive officers and members of senior management.

 

Equity Awards for the Chief Executive Officer

 

In 2004, the HRCC concluded that Mr. Robinson’s long-term incentive compensation opportunities had been significantly below those made available to the chief executive officers of other companies in the publishing, media and education industries reviewed by the HRCC. As a result of its review of this issue, taking into account Mr. Robinson’s overall compensation, the Company adopted the Scholastic Corporation 2004 Class A Stock Incentive Plan (the “Class A Plan”), which was designed to enable options to be granted to Mr. Robinson to acquire Class A Stock (“Class A Options”). The HRCC concluded that the Class A Plan was in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders since options granted thereunder would, in its opinion, be a significant motivating factor for Mr. Robinson and would also reflect Mr. Robinson’s stated intention to treat any long-term incentive compensation opportunities provided to him under the Class A Plan as a long-term investment in the Company. Mr. Robinson was the only eligible participant in the Class A Plan. Mr. Robinson received a total of 1,499,000 Class A Options under the Class A Plan during the period 2004 through 2008, at which time the program contemplated by the Class A Plan was completed.

 

In August 2010, Mr. Robinson was granted options under the 2001 Plan to purchase 250,000 shares of Common Stock, at the same time as the long-term incentive grants were also awarded to other executive officers and senior management for fiscal 2011. For fiscal 2012, in October 2011 Mr. Robinson was granted options under the 2011 Plan to purchase 224,152 shares of Common Stock, at the same time as the long-term incentive grants were also awarded to other executive officers and senior management. No grant was made to Mr. Robinson for fiscal 2013.

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Information regarding the equity awards held by Mr. Robinson as of the end of fiscal 2013 is set forth in the “Outstanding Equity Awards at May 31, 2013” table.

 

Other Equity-Based Incentives

 

The Scholastic Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as amended, the “ESPP”) and the Scholastic Corporation Management Stock Purchase Plan (as amended, the “MSPP”) were designed to augment the Company’s stock-based incentive programs by providing participating employees with equity opportunities intended to further align their interests with the Company and its stockholders. The purpose of the ESPP is to encourage broad-based employee stock ownership. The ESPP is offered to United States-based employees, including the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Robinson. The ESPP permits participating employees to purchase, through after-tax payroll deductions, Common Stock at a 15% discount from the closing price of the Common Stock on the last business day of each calendar quarter. Of the Named Executive Officers, only Mr. Hedden participated in the ESPP during fiscal 2013.

 

Under the MSPP, which was adopted in 1999 in order to provide an additional incentive for senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, to invest in Common Stock through the use of their cash bonuses paid under the MIP or EPIP, eligible members of senior management may use such annual cash bonus payments on a tax-deferred basis to purchase restricted stock units in the Company at a 25% discount from the lowest closing price in the fiscal quarter in which the bonus was paid. During fiscal 2013, four of the Named Executive Officers used a portion of their fiscal 2012 bonuses to purchase restricted stock units under the MSPP on September 4, 2012. For fiscal 2014, none of the Named Executive Officers participating in the MSPP received an eligible fiscal 2013 bonus for purposes of purchasing restricted stock units under the MSPP.

 

Results of Stockholder Advisory Votes on Compensation of Named Executive Officers

 

At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Class A Stockholders approved the fiscal 2011 compensation for the Company’s Named Executive Officers, including the policies and practices related thereto. The Company believes this vote reflected the general satisfaction of the Class A Stockholders with the Company’s compensation philosophy for the Named Executive Officers. Accordingly, the HRCC is continuing to apply the same general principles in determining the amounts and types of executive compensation for fiscal 2013 as outlined in the Company’s compensation philosophy and framework described above. In addition, at the same meeting the Class A Stockholders approved a determination that the Company hold advisory votes on Named Executive Officer compensation once every three years. As a result, the next advisory vote on Named Executive Officer compensation will take place in 2014, following the conclusion of the 2014 fiscal year. The HRCC intends

20

to consider the results of future votes in crafting the Company’s compensation programs for its Named Executive Officers in future years.

 

Regulatory Considerations

 

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a Federal income tax deduction for compensation paid by a publicly held corporation in excess of $1 million to certain of its executive officers, unless the amount of such excess constitutes “qualified performance-based compensation,” including income from certain stock option awards and compensation payable based solely upon the attainment of pre-established, objective performance criteria. Stock option awards under the Company’s 1995 Plan, 2001 Plan and 2011 Plan constitute qualified performance-based compensation and income realized upon the exercise of such stock options is fully deductible by the Company notwithstanding the limits of Code Section 162(m). The Company has taken steps so that certain other components of the incentive compensation it makes available to its Named Executive Officers meet the requirements of qualified performance-based compensation and are fully deductible. For example, amounts payable under the EPIP are intended to be exempt from the deduction limits of Section 162(m) as qualified performance-based compensation. Any EPIP bonuses deferred under the Management Stock Purchase Plan by Named Executive Officers are fully deductible when paid; however, the 25% discount at which such deferrals are converted into restricted stock units under the MSPP does not constitute qualified performance-based compensation and counts towards the $1 million deduction limit of Section 162(m). In addition, bonuses awarded from any discretionary pool established under the MIP and time-vested restricted stock units awarded under the Company’s 2001 Plan and 2011 Plan also do not constitute qualified performance-based compensation, and income realized by a Named Executive Officer from any such awards would count towards the $1 million deduction limit of Section 162(m). In appropriate circumstances, the HRCC may deem it appropriate to pay compensation or make incentive or retentive awards, such as time-vested restricted stock units, that do not constitute qualified performance-based compensation and therefore may not be deductible under Section 162(m). For fiscal 2013, none of the Named Executive Officers received restricted stock units or a bonus from the MIP discretionary pool; however, the supplemental bonus approved for one of the Named Executive Officers in respect of fiscal 2013, as previously described, did not constitute qualified performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m).

21

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

The following table summarizes the total compensation earned by or paid to the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2013, May 31, 2012 and May 31, 2011 as indicated below.

 

Name and
Principal
Position
  Fiscal
Year
  Salary
($)
  Bonus
($)
  Stock
Awards(3)
($)
  Option
Awards(4)
($)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(5)
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(6)
($)
  All Other
Compen-
sation(7)
($)
  Total
($)
 
Richard Robinson  2013  $1,007,308(1)  $0   $0   $0   $0   $55,393   $517,101   $1,579,802 
Chairman of the Board,  2012  $933,461   $0   $0   $2,300,005   $1,746,000   $88,553   $222,498   $5,290,517 
Chief Executive Officer and
President
  2011  $870,000   $350,000   $0   $2,195,000   $283,024   $21,231   $538,995   $4,258,250 
Maureen O’Connell  2013  $778,847(1)  $450,000(2)  $0   $0   $0   $313   $132,041   $1,361,201 
Executive Vice President,  2012  $731,731   $0   $390,011   $259,998   $1,012,500   $109   $37,565   $2,431,914 
Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer  2011  $700,000   $535,000   $273,720   $172,560   $165,615   $99   $83,804   $1,930,798 
Margery Mayer  2013  $690,577(1)  $0   $0   $0   $0   $3,448   $21,101   $715,126 
Executive Vice President  2012  $647,827   $0   $209,997   $139,997   $598,500   $2,628   $21,066   $1,620,015 
and President, Scholastic
Education
  2011  $618,000   $215,000   $182,480   $230,080   $86,657   $2,341   $23,932   $1,358,490 
Judith Newman  2013  $694,451(1)  $0   $0   $0   $0   $4,966   $88,843   $788,260 
Executive Vice President  2012  $651,544   $0   $209,997   $139,997   $518,700   $2,236   $35,517   $1,557,991 
and President, Scholastic Book Clubs
and E-Commerce
  2011  $626,437   $150,000   $182,480   $115,040   $0   $2,023   $36,438   $1,112,418 
Andrew S. Hedden  2013  $623,077(1)  $0   $0   $0   $0   $0   $172,700   $795,777 
Executive Vice President,  2012  $572,596   $0   $209,997   $139,997   $630,000   $0   $33,889   $1,586,479 
General Counsel and Secretary  2011  $525,000   $100,000   $114,050   $71,900   $83,013   $0   $134,919   $1,028,882 

 

 

 

(1) For the fiscal year June 1, 2012 through May 31, 2013, there were 27 instead of the usual 26 pay periods.
(2) As described on page 16 above, represents a special incentive bonus approved by the HRCC relating to Ms. O’Connell’s successfully acheiving targeted results in directing a significant company-wide cost cutting initiative.
(3) Represents the grant date fair value under FASB ASC Topic 718 of awards of restricted stock units granted to the Named Executive Officers in the fiscal year indicated. Assumptions used in determining the fair value can be found in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in the Annual Report, disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. There were no forfeitures during fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011 for the Named Executive Officers. There were no grants of restricted stock units to any of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2013.
(4) Represents the grant date fair value under FASB ASC Topic 718 of awards of stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers in the fiscal year indicated. Assumptions used in determining fair value can be found in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in the Annual Report, disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. There were no forfeitures during fiscal 2013, 2012 or 2011 for the Named Executive Officers. There were no grants of stock options to any of the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2013.
(5) Represents the full amount of the cash bonus actually awarded to the Named Executive Officer with regard to the fiscal year under the EPIP, including any amounts deferred at such person’s election and invested in RSUs under the MSPP. For fiscal 2013, Mr. Robinson, Ms. O’Connell, Ms. Mayer, Ms. Newman and Mr. Hedden had elected to invest 50%, 15%, 0%, 10% and 25%, respectively, of his or her fiscal 2013 bonus for the purchase of RSUs; however, none of such persons received an eligible bonus for this purpose. For fiscal 2012, Mr. Robinson, Ms. O’Connell, Ms. Mayer, Ms. Newman and Mr. Hedden had elected to invest 50%, 20%, 0%, 20% and 50%, respectively, of his or her fiscal 2012 bonus for the purchase of RSUs, which occurred on September 4, 2012. For fiscal 2011, Mr. Robinson, Ms. O’Connell, Ms. Mayer, Ms. Newman
22
  and Mr. Hedden had elected to invest 100%, 20%, 5%, 0% and 50%, respectively, of his or her fiscal 2011 bonus for the purchase of RSUs, which occurred on September 1, 2011.
(6) Represents the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officer’s accumulated benefit under the Company’s Cash Balance Retirement Plan on the pension plan measurement date used for financial statement purposes for fiscal 2013, fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011. Mr. Hedden joined the Company on December 1, 2008, and is not eligible to participate in the Company’s Cash Balance Retirement Plan, which was frozen to new participants on June 1, 2009.
(7) All Other Compensation is further described in the table entitled “Summary of All Other Compensation” below.

 

Summary of All Other Compensation

 

Name  Fiscal
Year
  401(k) Plan
Matching
Contributions
($)
  Life
Insurance
Premiums
($)
  RSU
Cost(1)
($)
  Perquisites(2)
($)
  Dividend
Earnings
on vested
MSPP
RSUs and
unvested
2001/2011
Plan RSUs(3)
($)
  Total
($)
 
Richard Robinson  2013  $7,800   $213   $427,426   $81,662   $0   $517,101 
   2012  $7,350   $240   $136,099   $78,809   $0   $222,498 
   2011  $7,350   $258   $453,089   $78,298   $0   $538,995 
Maureen O’Connell  2013  $7,846   $425   $99,141   $0   $24,629   $132,041 
   2012  $7,096   $480   $15,920   $0   $14,069   $37,565 
   2011  $7,173   $515   $66,278   $0   $9,838   $83,804 
Margery Mayer  2013  $7,749   $425   $0   $0   $12,927   $21,101 
   2012  $7,350   $480   $2,078   $0   $11,158   $21,066 
   2011  $6,125   $515   $8,717   $0   $8,575   $23,932 
Judith Newman  2013  $7,835   $425   $50,783   $18,752   $11,048   $88,843 
   2012  $7,099   $480   $0   $17,017   $10,921   $35,517 
   2011  $7,166   $515   $0   $16,381   $12,376   $36,438 
Andrew S. Hedden  2013  $7,596   $213   $154,222   $0   $10,669   $172,700 
   2012  $7,822   $240   $19,956   $0   $5,871   $33,889 
   2011  $7,139   $415   $124,277   $0   $3,088   $134,919 
 
(1) Represents the compensation cost to the Company resulting from the 25% MSPP discount for the restricted stock units purchased by the Named Executive Officer under the MSPP in the year indicated using the bonus that would otherwise would have been paid in such year. The compensation cost is computed using the grant date fair values for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 under FASB ASC Topic 718 of $9.66, $8.55 and $6.07, respectively, multiplied by the number of RSUs purchased in that fiscal year. Assumptions used in determining fair value can be found in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in the Annual Report.
(2) For Mr. Robinson, $74,928, $72,495 and $70,933 of the amounts shown for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, represents a portion of the compensation of certain employees who perform administrative services for Mr. Robinson personally from time to time, $6,734, $5,200 and $5,362 represents club membership dues used partially for personal use for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $0, $952, and $2,156 for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, represents fees paid by the Company for executive physicals. For Ms. Newman, the amounts shown for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 represent payments made by the Company for personal use of a company-provided automobile, which is no longer being provided commencing in January 2013, based on information provided by her.
(3) In fiscal 2013, the Company made four dividend payments at $.125 per share on the Common and the Class A Stock. In fiscal 2012, the Company made four dividend payments, two of which were at a quarterly dividend rate of $.10 per share on the Common and the Class A Stock and two of which were at $.125 per share on the Common and the Class A Stock. In fiscal 2011, the Company made four dividend payments, two of which were at a quarterly dividend rate of $.10 per share on the Common and the Class A Stock and two of which were at $.075 per share on the Common and the Class A Stock. Under the MSPP, all vested RSUs issued thereunder receive dividend earnings. Under the 2001 Plan and the 2011 Plan, restricted stock units are entitled to dividend earnings from the date of grant. This column reflects dividend earnings accrued under all such plans for the periods indicated.
23

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT MAY 31, 2013

 

The following table sets forth certain information with regard to all unexercised options and all unvested restricted stock units held by the Named Executive Officers at May 31, 2013.

 

       Option Awards      Stock Awards
Name  Grant
Date
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(1)
(#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(1)
(#)
Unexercisable
  Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
   Number
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested(2)
(#)
  Market Value
of Shares
or Units
of Stock
That Have
Not Vested(2)
($)
Richard Robinson   9/20/2004    333,000(3)       $29.49    9/20/2014           
    9/21/2005    333,000(3)       $36.41    9/21/2015           
    9/20/2006    333,000(3)       $30.08    9/20/2016           
    9/19/2007    250,000(3)       $36.21    9/19/2017           
    9/24/2008    250,000(3)       $27.93    9/24/2018           
    7/22/2009    187,500    62,500   $19.33    7/22/2019           
    8/27/2010    125,000    125,000   $22.81    8/27/2020           
    10/7/2011    56,043    168,129   $28.18    10/7/2021           
Maureen O’Connell   3/20/2007    100,000        $34.85    3/20/2017           
    9/19/2007    9,000        $36.21    9/19/2017           
    12/11/2007    100,000        $34.84    12/11/2017           
    7/21/2009                        5,250   $158,760 
    8/27/2010         12,000   $22.81    8/27/2020    6,000   $181,440 
    10/7/2011    6,959    20,878   $28.18    10/7/2021    10,380   $313,891 
Margery Mayer   7/19/2005    34,000        $37.38    7/19/2015           
    7/17/2007    33,000        $35.38    7/17/2017           
    9/19/2007    9,000        $36.21    9/19/2017           
    7/21/2009                        3,000   $90,720 
    9/22/2009         6,250   $24.52    9/22/2019           
    8/27/2010    16,000    16,000   $22.81    8/27/2020    4,000   $120,960 
    10/7/2011    3,747    11,242   $28.18    10/7/2021    5,589   $169,011 
Judith Newman   9/20/2005    25,000        $36.92    9/20/2015           
    9/19/2006    6,800        $29.74    9/19/2016           
    7/17/2007    20,000        $35.38    7/17/2017           
    9/19/2007    9,000        $36.21    9/19/2017           
    5/20/2008    25,000        $29.81    5/20/2018           
    7/22/2008    15,000        $27.25    7/22/2018           
    7/21/2009                        3,000   $90,720 
    8/27/2010    8,000    8,000   $22.81    8/27/2020    4,000   $120,960 
    10/7/2011    3,747    11,242   $28.18    10/7/2021    5,589   $169,011 
Andrew S. Hedden   12/16/2008    75,000    0   $16.48    12/16/2018           
    7/21/2009                        1,750   $52,920 
    8/27/2010    5,000    5,000   $22.81    8/27/2020    2,500   $75,600 
    10/7/2011    3,747    11,242   $28.18    10/7/2021    5,589   $169,011 
 
(1) As discussed above, there were no equity grants to the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2013. All stock options that were granted in fiscal 2012 and 2011 vest in 25% increments beginning with the first anniversary of the date of grant.
24
(2) For restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2012, the restricted stock units vest in annual 25% increments beginning with the first anniversary of the date of grant. For restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2011, 25% of the grant vests thirteen months after the grant date and the remaining 75% vests in equal increments on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversaries of the grant date. The market value of restricted stock unit awards was calculated by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the restricted stock units by $30.24, the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ on May 31, 2013.
(3) Represents a grant of Class A Options.

 

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

 

The following table shows the number of shares of Common Stock acquired during fiscal 2013 upon the exercise of stock options and upon vesting of restricted stock units.

 

   Option Awards  Stock Awards
Name  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise
(#)
  Value
Realized on
Exercise
($)
  Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Vesting(3)
(#)
  Value
Realized on
Vesting(3)
($)
Richard Robinson     0     $ 0       0     $ 0  
Maureen O’Connell   37,250(1)  $339,675(1)   12,710   $386,363 
Margery Mayer   66,750(2)  $411,945(2)   7,863   $237,990 
Judith Newman   0   $0    7,863   $237,990 
Andrew S. Hedden   0   $0    4,863   $150,517 

 

 

 

(1) During fiscal 2013, Ms. O’Connell exercised options to purchase 37,250 shares of Common Stock. In accordance with SEC rules, the Value Realized on Exercise was calculated by subtracting the grant prices of $22.81, $27.93 and $27.25 from the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of exercise. For purposes of this table, in accordance with SEC rules, the fair market value of the Common Stock on the dates of exercise was computed as the closing price for the Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ on the dates of exercise, October 2, 2012 and October 3, 2012, which were $32.70 and $32.97, respectively.
(2) During fiscal 2013, Ms. Mayer exercised options to purchase 66,750 shares of Common Stock. In accordance with SEC rules, the Value Realized on Exercise was calculated by subtracting the grant prices of $27.52, $27.25 and $24.52 from the fair market value of the underlying Common Stock on the applicable dates of exercise. For purposes of this table, in accordance with SEC rules, the fair market value of the Common Stock on the dates of exercise was computed as the closing price for the Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ on the dates of exercise, October 11, 2012 and December 28, 2012, which were $33.11 and $28.76, respectively.
(3) In accordance with SEC rules, the Value Realized on Vesting was computed based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ on the vesting dates. Ms. O’Connell had 3,460 RSUs and each of Ms. Mayer, Ms. Newman and Mr. Hedden had 1,863 RSUs vest on October 8, 2012 and the closing price on that date was $33.36. Ms. O’Connell had 6,250 RSUs, each of Ms. Mayer and Ms. Newman had 4,000 RSUs and Mr. Hedden had 1,750 RSUs vest on July 23, 2012 and the closing price on that date was $28.71. Ms. O’Connell had 3,000 RSUs, each of Ms. Mayer and Ms. Newman had 2,000 RSUs and Mr. Hedden had 1,250 RSUs vest on August 27, 2012 and the closing price on that date was $30.50.
25

Pension Plan

 

Prior to June 1, 2009, the Company maintained the Scholastic Corporation Cash Balance Retirement Plan for substantially all of its employees based in the United States, including the Named Executive Officers (the “Retirement Plan”). Effective as of June 1, 2009, the Retirement Plan closed to new participants and accrual of future benefits under the Plan stopped. Accordingly, a participant’s benefit does not consider pay earned and service credited after June 1, 2009. Interest on the account balances is accrued monthly based on the average rate for one-year United States Treasury Bills plus 1.0%. Participants in the Retirement Plan became fully vested in their accrued benefits upon completion of three years of service. Vested retirement benefits are payable in the form of a lump-sum or annuity payment upon retirement, termination, death or disability.

 

The Retirement Plan had been amended and restated to a cash balance plan effective June 1, 1999. All plan participants as of July 1, 1998 who were at least age 50 as of June 1, 1999 were given the option to remain under a modified version of the Retirement Plan’s benefit formula used prior to such amendment and restatement (the “Prior Benefit Formula”). Effective June 1, 2009, accrual of future benefits under the Prior Benefit Formula also stopped. Accordingly, a participant’s benefit does not consider pay earned and service credited after June 1, 2009. Mr. Robinson elected to continue participation under the Prior Benefit Formula, which, prior to June 1, 2009, provided covered participants with retirement benefits based upon career average compensation. Individual participant contributions are not required and the Company makes all required contributions. The Prior Benefit Formula provides for an annual benefit payable at retirement equal to, for each year of credited service, 1.5% of that portion of the participant’s basic annual compensation up to $13,650, plus 2.0% of that portion of the participant’s basic annual compensation in excess of $13,650. At July 1, 2013, Mr. Robinson had earned an estimated annual benefit payment using the Prior Benefit Formula of $74,474, which is net of the benefit transferred to his former spouse pursuant to a matrimonial agreement. In 2007, Mr. Robinson reached age 70.5, and, as required by law, on April 1, 2008 he began receiving the benefit he accrued through January 1, 2008 under the Retirement Plan.

 

The following table sets forth the years of credited service, the present value of benefits accumulated and any payments received during the last fiscal year by each of the Named Executive Officers under the Retirement Plan, in each case computed as of May 31, 2013, the same measurement date as used in the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.

26

PENSION BENEFITS

 

Name Plan Name Number of
Years of
Credited
Service
(#)(1)
  Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(2)
    Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)
 
Richard Robinson Scholastic Corporation Cash
Balance Retirement Plan
  47       $ 633,755     $ 74,474 (3)  
Maureen O’Connell Scholastic Corporation Cash
Balance Retirement Plan
  2       $ 4,514     $ 0    
Margery Mayer Scholastic Corporation Cash
Balance Retirement Plan
  19       $ 101,193     $ 0    
Judith Newman Scholastic Corporation Cash
Balance Retirement Plan
  16       $ 90,124     $ 0    
Andrew S. Hedden(4)   Scholastic Corporation Cash
Balance Retirement Plan
  0       $ 0     $ 0    

 

 

 

(1) The valuation method and material assumptions used in determining pension benefits and obligations can be found in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in the Annual Report.
(2) Pay earned and service credited after June 1, 2009 will not be considered in determining the Named Executive Officer’s benefit as the Retirement Plan was frozen as of that date.
(3) Mr. Robinson’s benefits include $58,650 accumulated under the Prior Benefit Formula and $15,824 paid from an annuity issued by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company for participant benefits accrued under a prior retirement plan which terminated in May 1985.
(4) Mr. Hedden did not meet the minimum service period prior to the plan freeze and, accordingly, is not entitled to any benefits under the Retirement Plan.

 

The following table sets forth information about the contributions, if any, by the Named Executive Officers under nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, which relate solely to the MSPP, during fiscal 2013 and the balances thereunder at May 31, 2013.

 

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name   Executive Contributions
in the Last Fiscal Year
($)(1)
Aggregate Balance
at Last Fiscal Year End
($)(2)
Richard Robinson    $873,000    $4,076,624 
Maureen O’Connell    $202,500    $696,851 
Margery Mayer    $0    $50,773 
Judith Newman    $103,740    $216,307 
Andrew S. Hedden    $315,000    $1,172,495 

 

 

 

(1) The amounts shown represent fiscal 2012 EPIP bonus amounts that were to be paid in fiscal 2013 but were deferred at the Named Executive Officer’s election and invested in RSUs under the MSPP. Mr. Robinson, Ms. O’Connell, Ms. Mayer, Ms. Newman and Mr. Hedden had elected to invest 50%, 20%, 0%, 20% and 50%, respectively, of his or her fiscal 2012 bonus. The purchase of the RSUs was made on September 4, 2012.
(2) Represents the value of all RSUs held by the Named Executive Officer under the MSPP at May 31, 2013 and was calculated by multiplying the number of RSUs held by $30.24, the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ on such date.
27

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE-IN-CONTROL

 

The following discussion and tables describe and quantify the potential payments and benefits that would be provided to each of the Named Executive Officers in connection with a termination of employment or change-in-control under the Company’s compensation plans. Except where noted, the calculations of the potential payments to the Named Executive Officers reflect the assumption that the termination or change-in-control event occurred on May 31, 2013, with the closing price per share of the Common Stock on that date of $30.24. The calculations exclude payments and benefits to the extent that they do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of the Company’s executive officers and are available generally to all salaried employees of the Company. The calculations also do not include plan balances under the Retirement Plan applicable to the Named Executive Officers, which are provided in the Pension Benefits table above. Of the Named Executive Officers, as of May 31, 2013, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Mayer and Ms. Newman were of retirement age for all of their option and restricted stock unit grants received under any of the Company’s equity-based plans. Mr. Hedden was of retirement age for all option and restricted stock unit grants received under the 2001 Plan prior to July 21, 2009, when retirement age was defined as age 55 or older. For all grants received on or after July 21, 2009 under the 2001 Plan, when the definition of retirement changed to age 55 plus 10 years of continuous employment service, and for all grants received under the 2011 Plan, Mr. Hedden does not qualify for retirement. As of May 31, 2013, under the MSPP, Mr. Robinson, Ms. Mayer and Ms. Newman were of retirement age, which was defined for purposes of the MSPP as age 55 or older, until the amendment that became effective on September 21, 2011, which changed the definition of retirement to be age 55 or older plus ten years of continuous service. Mr. Hedden was of retirement age in respect of RSUs acquired under the MSPP prior to September 21, 2011, but does not qualify for retirement in respect of RSUs acquired under the MSPP subsequent to such date. Ms. O’Connell is not eligible for retirement under any of the Company’s equity plans. The Company generally does not enter into employment contracts with its executives and does not have a general severance policy applicable to all employees. Accordingly, the Named Executive Officers are entitled to benefits upon termination of their employment or a change-in-control only as provided for in respect of stock options and restricted stock units previously granted under the 1995 Plan, the 2001 Plan and the 2011 Plan (or, in the case of a portion of Mr. Robinson’s grants, under the Class A Plan) and previously purchased RSUs under the MSPP.

 

409A Limitations. In compliance with Code Section 409A, an executive who is a “specified employee” (one of the 50 most highly compensated employees of the Company) at the time of termination of employment may not receive a payment of any compensation that is determined to be subject to Code Section 409A until six months after his or her departure from the Company (including, but not limited to, certain benefit payments on voluntary or involuntary termination and 409A deferred compensation plan benefits).

 

Change-in-control. None of the MSPP, the 1995 Plan, the 2001 Plan, the 2011 Plan or the Class A Plan contains provisions that automatically change the terms of any award or accelerates the vesting of any unvested restricted stock unit or stock option upon a change-in-

28

control. However, each of these plans has various provisions that would permit the Board committee responsible for administering such plan to amend, change or terminate the plan and/or the terms of the awards made under the plan or otherwise provide for the (i) acceleration of vesting of restricted stock units, (ii) acceleration of vesting of stock options and/or (iii) conversion of restricted stock units to stock. Because the HRCC (which administers each of these plans) has this power and may, in its discretion, choose to exercise such power in connection with a change of control or similar event (such as a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity or the acquisition of the Company’s Common Stock by a single person or group), the Company has presented information in the table on page 33 below regarding potential pay-outs to the Named Executive Officers upon a change-in-control based on the assumption that the HRCC would use its authority to accelerate vesting of restricted stock units and stock options and convert restricted stock units to shares under these plans effective upon a change-in-control of the Company.

 

MSPP Plan

 

As described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Other Equity-Based Incentives” above, eligible members of senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, may defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual cash bonus payments, received under the MIP or EPIP, through the purchase of RSUs under the MSPP. The amounts deferred with respect to bonuses received for fiscal 2012 but paid and deferred in fiscal 2013 are included in the “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table” above. The following table describes the payment provisions for RSUs under the terms of the MSPP upon a termination of employment of an executive participating in the MSPP.

 

Status of
RSU
Voluntary
Termination
or Termination
for Cause
Involuntary
Termination
Normal
Retirement(1)
Death or
Disability
Vested
RSUs
RSUs convert into stock. RSUs convert into stock. RSUs convert into stock. RSUs convert into stock.
Unvested
RSUs
RSUs are forfeited and participant receives cash equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the underlying stock or the purchase price of the unvested RSUs. RSUs are forfeited and participant receives a partial payment in stock and cash. The amount of stock is equal to a percentage of RSUs, with the number of full years of employment since purchase as the numerator and 3 as the denominator, and the remainder is paid in cash at the lesser of the purchase price of the unvested RSUs or the fair market value of the number of shares underlying the unvested RSUs on the date of termination. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock.

 

 

 

(1) Under the terms of the MSPP, for all RSUs purchased prior to September 21, 2011, the definition of normal retirement is age 55 or older and for all RSUs purchased after September 21, 2011, the definition of normal retirement is age 55 or older plus 10 years of employment.
29

Equity Incentives

 

As described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Options to Purchase Common Stock and Restricted Stock Units” above, the Company has granted to its Named Executive Officers, with the exception of Mr. Robinson who has received only stock options, a combination of stock options and restricted stock units as part of its long-term compensation program.

 

The following table illustrates the payment provisions upon a termination of employment for stock options and restricted stock units under the 1995 Plan, 2001 Plan and the 2011 Plan in effect at May 31, 2013.

 

Type of equity Voluntary
Termination
Termination
for Cause
Involuntary
Termination
Normal
Retirement
Death or
Disability
Non-qualified stock options granted under the 1995 Plan and before July 21, 2009 under the 2001 Plan. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 90 days to exercise vested options. All options expire as of the date of termination. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 90 days to exercise vested options. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 3 years to exercise vested options. Retirement defined as age 55 or older. Vesting accelerates. Participant or his estate has one year to exercise vested options.
Non-qualified stock options granted on or after July 21, 2009 under the 2001 Plan and non-qualified stock options granted under the 2011 Plan. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 90 days to exercise vested options. All options expire as of the date of termination. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 90 days to exercise vested options. Unvested options continue to vest. Participant has 3 years from the date of retirement to exercise vested options. Retirement defined as age 55 or older and 10 years employment. Vesting accelerates. Participant or his estate has one year to exercise vested options.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted before July 21, 2009 under the 2001 Plan. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock. Retirement defined as age 55 or older. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock.
RSUs granted on or after July 21, 2009 under the 2001 Plan. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. RSUs continue to vest for a period of 3 years. Retirement defined as age 55 or older and 10 years employment. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock.
RSUs granted prior to March 22, 2012 under the 2011 Plan. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock. Retirement defined as age 55 or older and 10 years employment. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock.
RSUs granted under the 2011 Plan on or after March 22, 2012. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Unvested RSUs are forfeited. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock for all RSUs granted more than one year before the date of retirement. Retirement defined as age 55 or older and 10 years employment. Vesting is accelerated and RSUs convert into stock.
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The following table illustrates the payment provisions upon a termination of employment for stock options under the Class A Plan.

 

Type of equity Voluntary
Termination
or Termination
for Cause
Involuntary
Termination
Normal
Retirement
Death or
Disability
Non-qualified stock options Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 90 days to exercise vested options. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has 90 days to exercise vested options. Unvested options are forfeited. Participant has three years to exercise vested options. Vesting of options accelerates. Participant or his estate has one year to exercise vested options.

 

The table below shows the aggregate amount of potential payments that each Named Executive Officer (or his or her beneficiary or estate) would have been entitled to receive if his or her employment had terminated, or, as noted under “Change-in-control” on page 28 above, is assumed to receive if a change-in-control had occurred, on May 31, 2013 under the MSPP, the 2001 Plan, the 2011 Plan and, in the case of a portion of Mr. Robinson’s outstanding stock options, the Class A Plan. The amounts shown assume that termination or the change-in-control was effective as of May 31, 2013, and include amounts earned through such time and estimates of the amounts which could otherwise have been paid out to the Named Executive Officers at that time. The actual amounts which would be paid out can only be determined at the time of each Named Executive Officer’s separation from the Company or at the time of a change-in-control. Annual bonuses are discretionary and are therefore omitted from the table, and no amounts are reflected in respect of the 1995 Plan as the stock options remaining outstanding thereunder had no value at May 31, 2013 based on the exercise prices thereunder. As previously indicated, the calculations also do not include plan balances under the Retirement Plan applicable to the Named Executive Officers, which are provided in the Pension Benefits table above.

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Name  Voluntary
Termination
($)
   Termination
for Cause
($)
   Involuntary
(Not for
Cause) Termination
($)
   Normal
Retirement
($)
   Death/
Disability
($)
   Change-in-
Control(5)
($)
 
Richard Robinson                              
MSPP(1)  $2,417,499   $2,417,499   $3,147,446   $4,076,624   $4,076,624   $4,076,624 
Class A Plan stock options(2)  $880,530   $0   $880,530   $880,530   $880,530   $880,530 
2001 Plan stock options(2)  $2,974,375   $0   $2,974,375   $4,585,000   $4,585,000   $4,585,000 
2011 Plan stock options(2)  $115,449   $0   $115,449   $461,794   $461,794   $461,794 
Total  $6,387,853   $2,417,499   $7,117,800   $10,003,948   $10,003,948   $10,003,948 
Maureen O’Connell                              
MSPP(1)  $420,126   $420,126   $524,966    N/A   $696,851   $696,851 
2001 Plan restricted stock units(3)  $0   $0   $0    N/A   $340,200   $340,200 
2001 Plan stock options(2)  $0   $0   $0    N/A   $89,160   $89,160 
2011 Plan restricted stock units(4)  $0   $0   $0    N/A   $313,891   $313,891 
2011 Plan stock options(2)  $14,336   $0   $14,336    N/A   $57,344   $57,344 
Total  $434,462   $420,126   $ 539,302    N/A   $1,497,446   $1,497,446 
Margery Mayer                              
MSPP(1)  $28,589   $28,589   $42,369   $50,773   $50,773   $50,773 
2001 Plan restricted stock units(3)  $0   $0   $0   $211,680   $211,680   $211,680 
2001 Plan stock options(2)  $118,880   $0   $118,880   $273,510   $273,510   $273,510 
2011 Plan restricted stock units(4)  $0   $0   $0   $169,011   $169,011   $169,011 
2011 Plan stock options(2)  $7,719   $0   $7,719   $30,877   $30,877   $30,877 
Total  $ 155,188   $28,589   $ 168,968   $735,851   $735,851   $735,851 
Judith Newman                              
MSPP(1)  $161,056   $161,056   $161,056   $ 216,307   $ 216,307   $ 216,307 
2001 Plan restricted stock units(3)  $232,848   $232,848   $232,848   $444,528   $444,528   $444,528 
2001 Plan stock options(2)  $118,440   $0   $118,440   $177,880   $177,880   $177,880 
2011 Plan restricted stock units(4)  $0   $0   $0   $169,011   $169,011   $169,011 
2011 Plan stock options(2)  $7,719   $0   $7,719   $30,877   $30,877   $30,877 
Total  $520,063   $ 393,904   $520,063   $1,038,603   $1,038,603   $1,038,603 
Andrew S. Hedden                              
MSPP(1)  $702,498   $702,498   $ 894,275   $1,004,703   $1,172,495   $1,172,495 
2001 Plan restricted stock units(3)  $0   $0   $0   $0   $128,520   $128,520 
2001 Plan stock options(2)  $1,069,150   $0   $1,069,150   $ 1,032,000   $1,106,300   $ 1,106,300 
2011 Plan restricted stock units(4)  $0   $0   $0   $ N/A   $169,011   $169,011 
2011 Plan stock options(2)  $7,719   $0   $7,719   $ N/A   $30,877   $30,877 
Total  $1,779,367   $702,498   $ 1,971,144   $ 2,036,703   $2,607,203   $ 2,607,203 
 
(1)All amounts represent the payout of the restricted stock units held under the MSPP based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on May 31, 2013 of $30.24 per share. Under the terms of the MSPP, all unvested restricted stock units become vested upon retirement or death/disability or, as noted under “Change-in-control” on page 28 above, are assumed to become vested upon a change-in-control and the numbers in those columns represent the payout of the restricted stock units as if such were fully vested. In the case of termination for cause and voluntary termination, the value is the sum of the closing price of $30.24 per share multiplied by the vested restricted stock units and, for the unvested restricted stock units, the lower of the sum of the purchase price of the unvested restricted stock units or the closing price of $30.24 multiplied by the number of unvested restricted stock units. In the case of involuntary termination, the value is the sum of the vested restricted stock units and a portion of the unvested restricted stock units (based upon the number of full years since purchase divided by three) multiplied by the closing price of
32
$30.24 and the lesser of purchase price of the remaining unvested restricted stock units or the fair market value of the underlying shares on the date of termination. For all restricted stock units purchased prior to September 21, 2011, retirement is defined as age 55 or older and for all restricted stock units purchased after September 21, 2011, retirement is defined as age 55 or older plus 10 years of employment.
(2)Under the terms of the 2001 Plan, the 2011 Plan and the Class A Plan, in the event of a merger or consolidation or other change-in-control, the HRCC has the ability to accelerate the vesting of unvested stock options. Accordingly, as noted under “Change-in-control” on page 28 above, the table above assumes immediate vesting of all outstanding options. Also, in the event of the Named Executive Officer’s death/disability, the vesting of unvested options is accelerated. A portion of the stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers are underwater, i.e., the exercise price is greater that the closing price on May 31, 2013, so there is no value for any of such underwater stock options.
(3)All amounts represent the payout of the restricted stock units held under the 2001 Plan based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on May 31, 2013 of $30.24 per share. Under the terms of the 2001 Plan, all unvested restricted stock units become vested upon retirement or death/disability or, as noted under “Change-in-control” on page 28 above, are assumed to become vested upon a change-in-control and the numbers in those columns represent the payout of the restricted stock units as if such were fully vested. Also, under the terms of the 2001 Plan, all unvested restricted stock units are forfeited in the case of a termination for cause. In the case of an involuntary termination, for restricted stock units granted before July 21, 2009, the vesting is accelerated, and for restricted stock units granted on or after July 21, 2009, the unvested restricted stock units are forfeited.
(4)All amounts represent the payout of the restricted stock units held under the 2011 Plan based on the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on May 31, 2013 of $30.24 per share. Under the terms of the 2011 Plan, all unvested restricted stock units become vested upon retirement or death/disability or, as noted under “Change-in-control” on page 28 above, are assumed to become vested upon a change-in-control and the numbers in those columns represent the payout of the restricted stock units as if such were fully vested. Also, under the terms of the 2011 Plan, all unvested restricted stock units are forfeited in the case of a termination for cause or as a result of involuntary termination.
(5)See “Change of Control Arrangements for Certain Class A Stockholders” for a discussion of certain rights of first refusal with respect to shares of Class A Stock in the event of a change-in-control.
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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

 

The following table presents information regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans at May 31, 2013.

 

Plan Category  Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)
  Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)
  Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
Equity Compensation plans
approved by security holders
                     
Common Stock    2,686,480      $28.07      2,211,126 (1)
Class A Stock    1,499,000      $32.02       
                     
Equity Compensation plans not
approved by security holders
                     
Common Stock               
Class A Stock               
Total    4,185,480      $29.49      2,211,126  
                      
(1) Includes 219,745 shares of Common Stock available at May 31, 2013 under the ESPP; 451,922 shares of Common Stock available at May 31, 2013 under the MSPP; and 1,253,908 shares of Common Stock available at May 31, 2013 under the 2011 Plan and 285,551 shares of Common Stock available at May 31, 2013 under the 2007 Plan, which shares may be issued upon the exercise of stock options or upon vesting of restricted stock units.

 

Stock Ownership Guidelines

 

The HRCC adopted the Scholastic Corporation Senior Management Stock Ownership Guidelines (the “Stock Ownership Guidelines”) in 2002. The Stock Ownership Guidelines require certain members of senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, to maintain certain specified ownership levels of the Common Stock of the Company, based on a multiple of annual base salary, exclusive of bonuses or other forms of special compensation. The multiple applicable to the Chief Executive Officer is three times annual base salary and the multiple applicable to the other Named Executive Officers is two times annual base salary. The Stock Ownership Guidelines originally provided that, with respect to each person subject to them, they would be phased in over a five year period, which was subsequently extended to six years by the HRCC. For purposes of determining compliance with the Stock Ownership Guidelines, Common Stock includes all Common Stock and securities based on the value of Common Stock acquired through participation in any of the Company’s incentive, retirement or stock purchase plans, but excluding options to purchase Common Stock. At May 31, 2013, all of the Named Executive Officers were in compliance with the stock ownership level specified under the Stock Ownership Guidelines.

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MATTERS SUBMITTED TO STOCKHOLDERS

 

PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides that the Class A Stockholders, voting as a class, have the right to fix the size of the Board so long as it does not consist of less than three nor more than fifteen directors. The current Board consists of eleven directors.

 

The Board has nominated the eleven persons listed below under the sections captioned “Nominees for Election by Holders of Class A Stock” and “Nominees for Election by Holders of Common Stock” for election at the Annual Meeting to serve as directors of the Company until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier retirement, resignation or removal.

 

Proxies are solicited in favor of the eight nominees to be elected by the Class A Stockholders and the three nominees to be elected by the holders of the Common Stock, and it is intended that the proxies will be voted for such nominees unless otherwise specified. Should any one or more of the nominees become unable to serve for any reason, unless the Class A Stockholders provide for a lesser number of directors, the persons named in the enclosed proxy may act with discretionary authority in respect of the election of a substitute nominee or nominees. The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.

 

Recommendation

 

The Board recommends that Class A Stockholders vote FOR each of the eight nominees for election by such holders. Assuming the presence of a quorum, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the Class A Stockholders present and entitled to vote on this item at the Annual Meeting is required to elect each of the nominees.

 

The Board recommends that holders of the Common Stock vote FOR each of the three nominees for election by such holders. Assuming the presence of a quorum, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the Common Stock present and entitled to vote on this item at the Annual Meeting is required to elect each of the nominees.

35

Nominees for Election by Holders of Class A Stock

 

Name Principal Occupation or Employment Age   Director
Since*
Richard Robinson Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company
76   1971
         
Andrew S. Hedden Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary of the Company
72   1991
         
Mae C. Jemison President and Founder, The Jemison
Group, Inc., Houston, TX
56   1993
         
Peter M. Mayer President, The Overlook Press/Peter
Mayer Publishers, Inc., New York, NY
77   1999
         
John G. McDonald The Stanford Investors Professor, Graduate
School of Business, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
76   1985
         
Augustus K. Oliver Managing Member, Oliver Press
Partners, LLC, New York, NY
63   1995
         
Richard M. Spaulding Former Executive Vice President of the Company 76   1974
         
Margaret A. Williams Partner, Griffin Williams LLC, Washington, D.C. 58   2010

 

Nominees for Election by Holders of Common Stock

 

Name Principal Occupation or Employment Age   Director
Since*
James W. Barge Independent Financial Consultant, Greenwich, CT 58   2007
         
Marianne Caponnetto Founder, MCW Group, Inc., Bedford, NY 62   2010
         
John L. Davies Private Investor, Washington D.C. 63   2000
*The dates set forth above indicate the date such director was elected as a director of the Company or its predecessor entity.

 

Richard Robinson. Mr. Robinson has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company and/or Scholastic Inc. since 1982, as Chief Executive Officer since 1975 and as President since 1974. He has held various executive management and editorial positions with the Company since joining in 1962.

 

Andrew S. Hedden. In December 2008, Mr. Hedden joined the Company as its Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Hedden was a partner of the law firm of Baker & McKenzie LLP from 2005 to November 2008, having previously been a partner with the law firm of Coudert Brothers LLP from 1975 to 2005.

 

Mae C. Jemison. Dr. Jemison is a physician and the President of The Jemison Group, a technology consulting company, and chair and founder of the Dorothy Jemison Foundation for Excellence. Dr. Jemison is currently leading the initiative 100 Year Starship seed-funded by DARP4 to ensure the scientific, technological and societal capabilities for human travel to another star system exists within the next 100 years. Dr. Jemison was a professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College from 1996-2002. She served as a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut from 1987 to 1993 and was the first

36

woman of color in the world in space aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour Flight in September 1992. She is a director and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Management Development and Compensation Committee of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a director and a member of the Compensation Committee of Valspar Corporation and, from 2004 to 2007, was also a board member of Gen-Probe Incorporated. Dr. Jemison is a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, a member of the Texas Medical Center Board of Directors and a member of the Greater Houston Partnership Board, an organization formed for the purpose of stimulating the local Houston economy. Also, Dr. Jemison was an official US Public Delegate to the 55th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

 

Peter M. Mayer. Mr. Mayer has been President of The Overlook Press/Peter Mayer Publishers, Inc. since 1997. Since 2003, Mr. Mayer has also been the President of Duckworth Publishers in the United Kingdom. From 1978 to 1996, he was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Penguin Group Companies, overseeing its operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands and India. From 1976 to 1978, he was President and Publisher of Pocket Books. He has also served as Editor-in-Chief, Publisher and President of Avon Books.

 

John G. McDonald. Professor McDonald joined the faculty of Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he is The Stanford Investors Professor, in 1968. Professor McDonald serves on the Boards of Directors of Plum Creek Timber Co., iStar Financial, Inc., QuinStreet, Inc. and, until December 2012, thirteen mutual funds managed by Capital Research and Management Co. (CRMC, the America Funds). Professor McDonald chaired the Proxy Committee at CRMC from 1993 to 2010, voting proxies of mutual fund portfolio companies. From 1999 to May 2010, he was a director of Varian, Inc., which was acquired by Agilent Technologies Inc. in May 2010. Professor McDonald has informed the Company that he does not intend to stand for reelection at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

Augustus K. Oliver. Mr. Oliver has been a Managing Member of Oliver Press Partners, LLC, an investment advisor, since 2005. Mr. Oliver also has been a Senior Managing Director of WaterView Advisors LLC, a private equity investment firm, since 1999. Mr. Oliver is the grandson of a former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Scholastic Inc. He is a director of the Phoenix Companies, Inc. He was a director of Emageon, Inc. until April 4, 2009, when it became a private company, a director of Comverse Technology Inc. until January 4, 2013, when it merged with Verint Systems Inc., and a director of Verint Systems Inc. until February 4, 2013.

 

Richard M. Spaulding. Mr. Spaulding retired from Scholastic in fiscal 2008 and held various executive management positions with the Company since joining in 1960, including as Executive Vice President from 1974 to 2004.

37

Margaret A. Williams. Ms. Williams is a founding partner in Griffin Williams, a consulting firm that helps clients navigate change, transition and challenging communications environments. Ms. Williams currently serves on the board of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). She is an advisory board member of the Institute of Politics at Harvard University and the Eli J. Segal Citizen Leadership Program at Brandeis University. She is a Trustee at the Rhode Island School of Design and a U.S. Commissioner to UNESCO. Previously, Ms. Williams has served as the director of communications for the Children’s Defense Fund; media relations manager for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; president of Fenton Communications; and chief of staff to former President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Foundation. From 1993-1997, Ms. Williams served as an assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Hillary Clinton, becoming the first person to hold both positions concurrently. Ms. Williams received her MA from the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Trinity College in Washington DC.

 

James W. Barge. From October 2010 until November 2012, Mr. Barge served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Viacom Inc., having served as its Executive Vice President, Controller, Tax and Treasury since January 2008. He was the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Time Warner Inc. from 2002 to 2007. Prior to joining Time Warner in 1995, Mr. Barge held several positions at Ernst & Young, most recently as the Area Industry Leader of the Consumer Products Group and, prior to that, as a partner in its National Office, where he was responsible for the resolution of SEC accounting and reporting issues. Mr. Barge is a member of the Advisory Council for the SEC Institute, as well as a Distinguished Practitioner Lecturer for the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.

 

Marianne Caponnetto. As Founder and President of MCW Group, Inc., Ms. Caponnetto acts as a Strategic Advisor, Consultant and Board member for a diverse group of companies with a focus on start-ups and organizations with significant transformational and growth objectives. She works with a range of technology start-ups, Fortune 500 and venture capital firms in B2B and B2C businesses. From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Caponnetto was the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at DoubleClick, Inc., an online advertising technology company acquired by Google Inc. in 2008. From 1994 to 2005, she held several marketing, digital and sales management roles at IBM, ultimately as Vice President, Global Media and Entertainment Industry. Prior to IBM, she led Strategic and Corporate Marketing for Dow Jones & Co., after a successful career in the advertising agency business. Ms. Caponnetto has served on digital technology, media and advertising industry boards, and is active on several private and non-profit company boards. Ms. Caponnetto is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.

 

John L. Davies. Mr. Davies is a private investor. Mr. Davies retired from AOL in 2002, which he had joined in 1993 as Senior Vice President. In 1994, he founded AOL International, where he served as President until becoming Senior Advisor in 2000. He was also a director of Tickets.com Inc. until March 2005 when it became a private company. 

38

The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee believe that the diverse backgrounds and experience of the current members of the Board, as described below, combine to provide the Company with the perspectives and judgment needed to provide the necessary guidance and oversight of the Company’s business and strategies. The qualifications of the members of the Board include:

 

Richard Robinson

 

Executive, business and operational experience as the Company’s Chairman since 1982, CEO since 1975 and President since 1974.

 

Demonstrated leadership skills, business expertise and commitment to the Company’s mission.

 

Son of the Company’s founder and principal shareholder of the Company.

 

Substantial knowledge of and experience in publishing books, magazines and digital programs for trade, consumer and educational markets, as well as experience in direct marketing, eCommerce and the development and sale of educational technology products and services.

 

Critical understanding of the education and school markets in which the Company operates and the key relationships with teachers, administrators, parents and children developed by the Company through the schools.

 

Andrew S. Hedden

 

Management and legal experience as the chief legal officer of the Company.

 

Significant transactional and compliance experience through previous partnership positions with two international law firms.

 

Extensive legal, regulatory and policy experience.

 

Mae C. Jemison, M.D.

 

Significant entrepreneurial and business startup experience.

 

Significant international experience, particularly in emerging and developing countries.

 

Extensive education experience (elementary, high school and especially college) in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) literacy.

 

Substantial board and committee experience as an independent director of several publicly-held companies.

 

Scientific and technology experience contributing towards the mission of the Company, including product innovation and strategy.

 

Diverse private and public roles in a broad range of other activities.

39

Peter M. Mayer

 

Executive, business and operational publishing experience as a former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Penguin Group Companies.

 

Over thirty years of executive and management experience in the publishing field.

 

Substantial additional industry experience and product knowledge as the founder of his own trade publishing company.

 

Membership on numerous industry boards and recipient of various honors in publishing.

 

John G. McDonald

 

Substantial board experience as an independent director of Plum Creek Timber, iStar Financial, Inc. and QuinStreet, Inc. and former director of thirteen mutual funds managed by Capital Research and Management Co. and former director of Varian, Inc.

 

Extensive knowledge of and experience in finance and capital markets.

 

Significant experience in the analysis of strategic investment opportunities.

 

More than forty years’ experience as a professor at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

 

Augustus K. Oliver

 

Substantial private equity and investment experience, most recently as a managing director of Oliver Press Partners, LLC.

 

Audit committee and compensation committee experience, including serving as Chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee.

 

Based on extensive business and investment experience, determined to be “an audit committee financial expert.”

 

Significant board experience with other public companies, including serving as a current director of the Phoenix Companies, Inc., as well as serving as the Company’s Lead Independent Director.

 

Longstanding family commitment to the Company and its mission.

 

Richard M. Spaulding

 

Significant executive, business and operational experience as a former Executive Vice President of the Company.

 

Substantial product and strategic marketing expertise and a deep understanding of the Company’s businesses, strategies, customers and mission.

 

Longstanding personal commitment to the Company and knowledge of its historical growth and development.

40

Margaret A. Williams

 

Significant experience with the political process, as well as diverse activities in the public sphere.

 

Extensive experience as a consultant, with significant communications expertise involving communication with many constituencies, including children, parents and teachers, the Company’s primary customer base.

 

Through prior independent consulting assignments has acquired a deep understanding of the Company, its mission and its strategic vision.

 

Extensive experience as a crisis communication strategist.

 

Significant experience in organizational and transitional management issues as advisor to corporate and nonprofit clients.

 

Trustee or director of educational organizations.

 

James W. Barge

 

Extensive understanding of financial operations, treasury, tax, accounting, risk management and finance matters for multinational media companies.

 

Broad financial experience, including experience as a certified public accountant.

 

Significant experience in financial reporting and accounting and financial control matters involving publicly-traded companies.

 

Marianne Caponnetto

 

Significant experience in digital marketing and media initiatives relevant to the Company’s strategic plan for the development and marketing of its digital properties.

 

Extensive marketing expertise gained through several management positions in advertising, publishing and technology.

 

Deep expertise in the marketing and sales of technology (especially digital technologies) acquired in leadership positions at IBM and DoubleClick.

 

Broad range of operating experience with major corporations in media, publishing, advertising and technology.

 

Strong fluency in technology trends, landscape and business impact of IT decisions due to technology industry expertise and strategy/consulting work with technology start-ups.

 

Expertise in transformational business, go-to-market strategies and implementation plans as a result of direct management experience in major transformational initiatives at Dow Jones, IBM and DoubleClick/Google.

 

John L. Davies

 

Substantial media industry knowledge and executive, marketing, business and operational experience as a former Senior Vice President of AOL.

 

Significant international experience as the founder of AOL International.

 

Investor and shareholder in several public and privately held companies.

41

Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Directors has adopted a structure whereby the Chief Executive Officer and principal stockholder of the Company, Mr. Richard Robinson, is the Chairman of the Board. The Board believes that having Mr. Robinson as Chairman provides strong leadership for the Board and critical thinking with respect to the Company’s strategy and performance and helps ensure that shareholder interests are well represented during Board deliberations. The Board considers the Chief Executive Officer’s participation to be important to make information and insight about the Company’s business and its operations directly available to the directors in their deliberations. In the context of this structure, the Board has also approved the formal designation of a Lead Independent Director, as discussed under “Lead Independent Director” below.

 

The Board believes that risk oversight is the responsibility of the Board as a whole and not of any one of its committees. The Board periodically reviews the processes established by management to identify and manage risks, communicates with management about these processes and receives regular reports from each of its committees concerning, among other things, risks arising within their areas of responsibility. To facilitate the Board’s risk oversight, the Board has delegated certain functions (including the oversight of risks related to these functions) to various Board committees. The Audit Committee generally evaluates the risks related to the Company’s financial reporting process and oversees the Company’s general risk management processes. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee evaluates the risks presented by the Company’s compensation programs and takes into account these risks when making compensation decisions. The Nominating and Governance Committee evaluates whether the Board has the requisite core competencies to respond to the risks that the Company faces. The roles and responsibilities of these committees are discussed in more detail below. Although the Board has delegated certain functions to various committees, each of these committees regularly reports to and solicits input from the full Board regarding its activities.

 

Meetings of the Board and its Committees

 

Five regular meetings of the Board were held during the 2013 fiscal year. All incumbent directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate of such meetings and of the meetings held during the 2013 fiscal year by all standing committees of the Board of which they were a member.

 

The Board currently has six standing committees: Audit; Executive; Human Resources and Compensation; Nominating and Governance; Retirement Plan; and Strategic Planning. All members of the Audit, Human Resources and Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committees are independent directors, as defined under NASDAQ listing standards. All committee members are appointed by the Board on an annual basis each September. Each committee operates under a written charter establishing its roles and

42

responsibilities, which can be found in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, investor.scholastic.com, and regularly reports to the Board on its deliberations and actions, which are also submitted to the Board for ratification as appropriate. The duties and responsibilities of all the Board committees are reviewed regularly and are outlined below.

 

Executive Committee. Richard Robinson (Chairperson), Peter M. Mayer, Augustus K. Oliver and Richard M. Spaulding are the current members of the Executive Committee. In the intervals between meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee is authorized to exercise, with certain exceptions, all of the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Company. No meetings of the Executive Committee were held during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.

 

Audit Committee. Augustus K. Oliver (Chairperson), James W. Barge and John L. Davies are the current members of the Audit Committee. Each member of the Audit Committee is independent, as defined under NASDAQ listing standards and applicable SEC regulations. The Board has determined that all Audit Committee members are “financially literate,” as defined under NASDAQ listing standards, and that Mr. Oliver and Mr. Barge qualify as designated financial experts based upon their business and professional experience as described previously in this proxy statement. The Audit Committee reviews the corporate accounting and financial reporting practices of the Company, including its disclosure and internal controls, and the quality and integrity of the financial reports of the Company, including a review of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Audit Committee also appoints the Company’s independent auditors and pre-approves any non-audit services to be provided by such auditors, as further described in this proxy statement under “Independent Registered Public Accountants.” The Audit Committee discusses with the Company’s internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits and meets with both the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s disclosure and internal controls and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. Commencing June 1, 2013, the Company fully outsourced the internal audit function to Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, which now provides the Company’s internal audit team and reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee periodically reviews and approves all “related party transactions,” as defined in SEC regulations. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.

 

Human Resources and Compensation Committee. John L. Davies (Chairperson), Marianne Caponnetto, Peter M. Mayer and John G. McDonald are the current members of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee. Each member of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (“HRCC”) is independent, as defined under the current applicable NASDAQ listing standards, and also meets certain additional criteria so that the Company qualifies for available exemptions pursuant to Section 162 (m) of the Code and Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. For a description of the duties and responsibilities of this committee, see “Corporate Governance-HRCC Procedures” below, which includes a 

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discussion of the actions taken by the HRCC in fiscal 2013 with respect to certain new NASDAQ rules relating to compensation committees. The HRCC held five meetings during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.

 

Nominating and Governance Committee. James W. Barge (Chairperson), Mae C. Jemison and Richard M. Spaulding are the current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Each member of the Nominating and Governance Committee is independent, as defined under NASDAQ listing standards. The Nominating and Governance Committee identifies and recommends to the Board candidates for election as directors and recommends any changes it believes desirable in the size and composition of the Board as well as Board committee structure and membership. The Nominating and Governance Committee also administers Scholastic’s Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Guidelines”), reviews performance under, and compliance with, the Guidelines and the content of the Guidelines annually and, when appropriate, recommends updates and revisions of the Guidelines to the Board. In addition, the Nominating and Governance Committee oversees the Board self-assessment process. The Nominating and Governance Committee held two meetings during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.

 

Retirement Plan Committee. Richard M. Spaulding (Chairperson), Andrew S. Hedden, Mae Jemison and John G. McDonald are the current members of the Retirement Plan Committee. The Retirement Plan Committee acts on behalf of the Board in its capacity as settlor of the trusts underlying the Retirement Plan and the 401(k) Plan (collectively, the “Plans”) and with respect to the powers enumerated therein, including the power to amend or terminate the Plans. The Retirement Plan Committee also oversees the Administrative Committee, comprised of Company employees who are responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Plans, and approves the appointment of one or more trustees, or other professionals, necessary for the proper administration and operation of the Plans. Furthermore, the Retirement Plan Committee oversees the policies and practices related to the Plans and evaluates the Company’s overall retirement benefit plan philosophy, in terms of the Company and competitively within the publishing industry, as well as the investment performance under the Plans. The Retirement Plan Committee held two meetings during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013.

 

Strategic Planning Committee. Mae C. Jemison (Chairperson), Marianne Caponnetto, Peter M. Mayer, Augustus K. Oliver, Richard M. Spaulding and Margaret A. Williams are the current members of the Strategic Planning Committee. The Strategic Planning Committee advises the Company’s management on implementing and achieving its strategic plan, focusing at its meetings on selected topics or areas of strategic concern to the Company. The Strategic Planning Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013. 

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Corporate Governance

 

As part of the Company’s corporate governance practices, the Board has adopted the Scholastic Corporation Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are summarized below. The full text of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, investor.scholastic.com. Stockholders may also obtain a written copy of the Guidelines at no cost by writing to the Company at Scholastic Corporation, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, Attention: Corporate Secretary. In addition to the Guidelines, the Board believes that the Scholastic Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, described below, as well as the Committee charters, which have all been approved by the Board, are vital to securing the confidence of Scholastic’s stockholders, customers, employees, governmental authorities and the investment community.

 

Independent Directors. Scholastic’s Corporate Governance Guidelines provide for a board of ten to fifteen directors and require a majority of independent directors. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board annually the appropriate criteria and standards for determining director independence consistent with applicable legal requirements, including NASDAQ listing standards and the federal securities laws. The Board has determined that all of its current directors are independent, as defined in the NASDAQ listing standards, other than Mr. Robinson and Mr. Hedden, who are executive officers of the Company.

 

Lead Independent Director. In May 2010, the Board of Directors amended the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines to formally provide for a Lead Independent Director. At its May 2010 meeting, it was determined by the Board, upon recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, that this process be formalized and provide for a Lead Independent Director in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, in view of the Company’s practice of combining the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions. Since the practice of holding executive sessions of the independent directors began, Mr. Oliver, at the request of the independent directors, had chaired the meetings and acted as the liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, effectively fulfilling the role of a lead independent director. At the May 2010 Board meeting, the independent directors formally appointed Mr. Oliver as the Lead Independent Director pursuant to the new policy. The Board believes that, as the Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee and with his thorough understanding of the Company, Mr. Oliver is well-suited to lead the independent sessions of the Board in his capacity as Lead Independent Director. As described in the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Lead Independent Director presides at executive sessions of the Board involving only the independent directors and serves as the liaison between the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the independent directors (unless the matter under consideration is within the jurisdiction of one of the Board’s committees). Among other matters, the independent directors, meeting in executive session, consider items they would like included in future Board agendas, the flow 

45

of information to directors, relevant Board corporate governance matters and any other topics or issues which any of the independent directors desires to raise in executive session. The Lead Independent Director is responsible for advising the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of decisions reached or suggestions made at executive sessions.

 

Communication with the Board. Individuals may submit communications to the Board, or to the non-management directors individually or as a group, by sending the communications in writing to the attention of the Corporate Secretary of the Company at Scholastic Corporation, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. All communications that relate to matters that are within the scope of responsibilities of the Board and its committees will be forwarded to the appropriate directors by the Corporate Secretary.

 

Director Nomination Process. The Nominating and Governance Committee periodically reviews with the Board the requisite skills, competencies and characteristics of new directors, as well as the composition of the Board as a whole. The Nominating and Governance Committee makes an assessment of the suitability of candidates for election to the Board, taking into account diversity, independence, character, judgment and relevant business experience, as well as their appreciation of the Company’s mission, values and credo. In particular, the Board focuses on identifying the potential contribution any candidate can make to the diversity of backgrounds, experience and competencies which it desires to have represented on the Board. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not believe it is currently necessary or appropriate to adopt specific, minimum objective criteria for new director nominees. Stockholders may propose nominees for Board membership for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee by submitting the nominee’s name, biographical data and qualifications along with the consent of the proposed nominee to the Nominating and Governance Committee, Attention: Corporate Secretary at Scholastic Corporation, 557 Broadway, New York, NY 10012. Stockholders who wish to nominate candidates for election to the Board at the next annual meeting of stockholders must adhere to the dates and follow the procedures outlined in “Stockholder Proposals for 2014 Annual Meeting” set forth below. The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider all director candidates properly submitted by stockholders in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws and Corporate Governance Guidelines using the same criteria that it uses to select directors for non-stockholder nominees. The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it deems appropriate, including the balance of independent and non-independent directors, the need for Audit Committee or other relevant expertise, and the qualifications of other potential nominees. Although there is no specific policy regarding diversity, the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks to achieve diversification in the qualifications of nominees, such as different types of business or academic experience or expertise in different industries, professions and geographic areas.

 

At its July 2013 meeting, the Nominating and Governance Committee, in the course of determining its recommendations for the nominees to be presented for election at the Annual Meeting, also generally discussed the overall composition of the Board, including the 

46

current composition of the Board members in terms of age and length of tenure, and determined that, during fiscal 2014, it would work with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to assess the current Board composition, particularly with respect to the relative ages and length of tenure of the current Board members.

 

Board Meetings and Executive Sessions. Directors are expected to expend sufficient time, energy and attention to assure diligent performance of their responsibilities. Directors are expected to attend meetings of the Board and the committees on which they serve, whether in person or by telephone. Management provides all directors with an agenda and appropriate written materials in advance of each meeting. To ensure active and effective participation, directors are expected to arrive at each Board and committee meeting having reviewed the materials for the meeting. As previously discussed, the Board regularly meets in executive session with only the independent directors present, and Mr. Oliver presides over those sessions as Lead Independent Director.

 

Director Attendance at Company Annual Meetings. All directors are encouraged to attend the Company’s annual meetings of stockholders. All of the Company’s directors, with the exception of Dr. Jemison, attended the annual meeting of stockholders held on September 19, 2012.

 

Annual Self-Assessment. The Board makes an annual self-assessment of performance with a particular focus on key metrics related to Board performance and overall effectiveness. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the self-assessment process.

 

Access to Management and Advisors. Directors have access to the Company’s management and, in addition, are encouraged to visit the Company’s facilities. As necessary and appropriate, the Board and its committees may retain outside legal, financial or other advisors.

 

Investment Expectations of Directors. Directors are encouraged to own Company stock in an amount that is appropriate for them, although the Company does not currently have any formal equity ownership requirements for members of the Board of Directors.

 

Scholastic Code of Ethics and Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers. The Company has implemented a Code of Ethics applicable to its employees and directors generally and a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers. The Scholastic Code of Ethics operates as a tool to help Scholastic’s employees and directors understand and adhere to high ethical standards required for employment by, or association with, the Company. The Scholastic Code of Ethics contains procedures for employees to report to the Audit Committee any concerns with regard to any questionable accounting, internal control or auditing matters. The Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers provides fundamental ethical principles to which the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller are expected to adhere. Both the Scholastic Code of 

47

Ethics and the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers are available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, investor.scholastic.com. Additionally, these documents are available in print to any stockholder requesting a copy.

 

HRCC Procedures. Under its charter, the HRCC is required to meet at least three times per year. In practice the HRCC has been meeting on at least a quarterly basis to deal generally with compensation matters, including reviewing regulatory developments that may impact the Company’s compensation arrangements and considering amendments or modifications to compensation and benefit plans. At its regular meeting in July of each year, the HRCC reviews the Company’s financial and operating results for the most recent fiscal year and determines whether the relevant performance criteria required for the payment to the Named Executive Officers of annual bonuses under the EPIP for such year have been satisfied and, if so, considers and approves the actual amounts of any such payouts. Also, at that meeting the HRCC customarily determines the participants in the EPIP and establishes performance criteria for annual bonuses to be awarded under the MIP and EPIP for the current fiscal year. At its regular meeting in September, the HRCC customarily considers and approves any changes in base salary of senior executive officers.

 

Under the Company’s recent practice, equity-based compensation awards under the Company’s stock incentive plans then in effect are typically made each year at the scheduled July or September meeting of the HRCC, which occurs shortly before the announcement of the Company’s earnings for its fiscal year or first fiscal quarter. Except in limited circumstances, the HRCC does not generally grant equity awards to Named Executive Officers at other times during a given year and, in such cases, the grants would normally be made by the HRCC at one of its other regularly scheduled meetings. However, during fiscal 2013, no equity-based compensation awards were made to the Named Executive Officers, and the only equity-based compensation awards made were pursuant to contractual obligations or agreements with newly-hired personnel.

 

All equity awards are made at fair market value on the date of grant, which is no earlier than the date on which the HRCC approves the grant. Under the 2001 Plan and the 2011 Plan, fair market value is deemed to be the average of the high and low market prices of the Common Stock on the date of grant.

 

The HRCC annually reviews the performance of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and recommends his compensation for review and revision or approval by the Board. The compensation of the executive officers who report directly to the Chief Executive Officer is recommended by him to the HRCC, which reviews and revises or approves the recommendations as the HRCC deems appropriate. The forgoing practices are conducted with the assistance of the Company’s Human Resources Department and, as requested, input from the compensation consultants retained by the HRCC from time to time. 

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The HRCC has the authority and discretion to retain such external compensation consultants as it deems appropriate. The HRCC looks to its consultants to periodically review and advise the HRCC regarding the adequacy and appropriateness of the Company’s overall executive compensation plans, programs and practices and, from time to time, to answer specific questions raised by the HRCC or management. Compensation decisions are made by, and are the responsibility of, the HRCC and the Board and may reflect factors and considerations other than the information and recommendations provided by the HRCC’s consultants.

 

At its March 2013 meeting, the HRCC adopted a revised charter pursuant to new NASDAQ rules issued pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act which, among other matters, set forth enhanced independence standards for compensation committee members and certain committee responsibilities and authority, including the requirement that the committee consider the independence of persons retained by the committee to provide advice to the committee. At the meeting, the HRCC reviewed certain factors included in the revised charter relevant to considering the independence of the compensation consultant currently retained by the HRCC, Pay Governance LLC. After consideration of these independence factors and review of their application to Pay Governance LLC, the HRCC unanimously determined that Pay Governance LLC qualified as an “independent” compensation consultant and approved the continued retention of Pay Governance LLC as the HRCC’s independent compensation consultant. Pay Governance LLC performs no services for the Company other than to the HRCC in relation to compensation matters.

 

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions. The Company does not generally engage in transactions in which its executive officers or directors, any of their immediate family members or any of its 5% stockholders have a material interest, with the exception of legal fees paid to Baker & McKenzie LLP, a law firm of which Andrew S. Hedden, a director and executive officer of the Company, was a partner prior to joining the Company. The use of Baker & McKenzie for legal services is periodically presented to the Audit Committee for its consideration and approval. The Company’s Code of Ethics, which was revised in fiscal 2013 and is posted on investor.scholastic.com, sets forth standards applicable to all employees, officers and directors of the Company, and generally prohibits transactions that could result in a conflict of interest. Any waiver of the Code of Ethics for any executive officer or director of the Company requires the approval of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such waiver would be disclosed on the Company’s website, investor.scholastic.com, or on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.

 

Director Compensation

 

During the 2013 fiscal year, each non-employee director of the Company (an “Outside Director”) was paid a cash annual retainer at the rate of $75,000 for his or her services as a director, including service on Board committees, and an annual fee at the rate of $5,000 if he or she was the chairperson of a standing committee of the Board, or $15,000 in the case of each of the chairpersons of the Audit and HRCC Committees. 

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In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Scholastic Corporation 2007 Outside Directors Stock Incentive Plan (the “Amended Directors’ Plan”), as approved by the Class A Stockholders at the Company’s 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, which provides for annual equity awards to Outside Directors on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, the Board determined that, for the fiscal year of the Company beginning June 1, 2012, stock options and restricted stock units would be awarded to each Outside Director having a combined value of $70,000, with sixty percent (60%) of such value to be awarded as restricted stock units and forty percent (40%) of such value to be awarded as stock options. Under the Amended Directors’ Plan, the fair value of the stock options was determined based upon the Black-Scholes model of calculating the fair value of a stock option, including the use of the exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on September 19, 2012, the date of the 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, and the fair value of the restricted stock units was based upon the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the same date. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Directors’ Plan, the stock options and restricted stock units vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the next annual meeting of stockholders following the date of grant. Accordingly, with regard to the grant of stock options and restricted stock units on September 19, 2012, the entire grant vests on September 18, 2013. The stock options expire on September 19, 2022.

 

Under the terms of the Scholastic Corporation Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, directors are permitted to defer 50% or 100% of their cash retainers and other fees. Deferred amounts accrue interest at a rate equal to the 30-year United States Treasury bill rate and are paid in cash upon the later of termination from Board service or the end of the deferral period, unless paid earlier due to death, disability, change-of-control of the Company or severe financial hardship. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013, one director chose to defer 100% of his cash compensation under this plan. Interest expense accrued during fiscal 2013 on amounts deferred under the plan was $6,276.

 

The following table summarizes the total compensation provided by the Company to the Outside Directors for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013. 

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

Fiscal Year 2013
Name(1)
Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash
($)
Stock
Awards(2)
($)
Option
Awards(3)
($)
Change in
Pension Values
and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(4)
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
($)
James W. Barge $80,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $150,000
Marianne Caponnetto $75,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $145,000
John L. Davies $90,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $160,000
Mae C. Jemison $80,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $150,000
Peter M. Mayer $75,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $145,000
John G. McDonald $75,000 $41,971 $28,029 $6,276 $0 $151,276
Augustus K. Oliver $90,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $160,000
Richard M. Spaulding(5) $80,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $13,000 $163,000
Margaret Williams $75,000 $41,971 $28,029 $0 $0 $145,000

 

 

 

(1) Richard Robinson, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew S. Hedden, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, do not receive compensation for their service as a director.
   
(2) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted in fiscal 2013 under FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in determining the FASB ASC Topic 718 values can be found in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in the Annual Report, disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. Each Outside Director had 1,257 restricted stock units outstanding as of May 31, 2013 and the fair value of such restricted stock units on the grant date, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, was $33.39 per restricted stock unit. The difference between the amount listed above and the $42,000 allocated for restricted stock units (60% of $70,000) is due to rounding.
   
(3) Represents the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in fiscal 2013 under FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in determining the FASB ASC Topic 718 values can be found in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in the Annual Report, disregarding estimates of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For each Outside Director who received an option award during fiscal 2013, the fair value of such award on the grant date, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, was $9.29 per option. The difference between the amount listed above and the $28,000 allocated for stock options (40% of $70,000) is due to rounding. At May 31, 2013, each of Messrs. Davies, Oliver, Mayer and McDonald had 42,017 options outstanding; Dr. Jemison had 36,017 options outstanding; Mr. Barge had 18,017 options outstanding; and Mr. Spaulding had 18,017 options outstanding, of which 3,000 were granted to him while he was a consultant and 15,017 were granted to him as an Outside Director. Ms. Williams and Ms. Caponnetto each had 9,017 outstanding options.
   
(4) The amount shown represents the interest accrued on all amounts previously deferred by the director under the Scholastic Corporation Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan.
   
(5) The amount shown in the “Other Compensation” column represents compensation received by Mr. Spaulding pursuant to a consulting arrangement that he has with the Company, which was approved by the Audit Committee.
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Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 

From 1975 to 2005, Andrew S. Hedden was a partner with Coudert Brothers LLP, a law firm which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Southern District of New York Bankruptcy Court in September 2006.

 

James W. Barge was the Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Time Warner Inc. from 2002 to 2007. In 2005, Time Warner entered into a settlement with the SEC relating to an SEC investigation of certain of its accounting and financial disclosure practices. In connection with this settlement, Mr. Barge, together with certain other individuals, also reached a settlement with the SEC pursuant to which he agreed, without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations, to the entry of an administrative order in March 2005 that he cease and desist from causing violations or future violations of certain reporting provisions of the securities laws; however, he is not subject to any suspension, bar or penalty.

 

From 2000 to 2007, Margaret A. Williams was a director of Delta Financial Corp., a consumer finance company which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in December 2007.

 

PROPOSAL 2—APPROVAL OF THE SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION 2013
EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

The Board has unanimously approved and is submitting to the Class A Stockholders, for their consideration, the Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan. The performance targets contained in the Scholastic Corporation 2008 Executive Performance Incentive Plan were required to be resubmitted for stockholder approval in 2013, and the Company has chosen to incorporate such performance targets in a new plan to be presented in its entirety for approval by the Class A Stockholders. The provisions of the 2013 EPIP are similar to those of the 2008 EPIP in all material respects.

 

Description of Plan

 

The Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan (the “2013 EPIP”), if approved by the Class A Stockholders, will provide for annual incentive payments to selected key employees of the Company and its Affiliates (as defined in the 2013 EPIP) based upon the performance of the Company (including performance at the business group, division, operational unit or administrative department level). The 2013 EPIP is intended to include those key employees who would qualify as executive officers subject to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and, accordingly, is limited to a group of approximately four key employees who meet the relevant criteria at the present time plus

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other executives who may become subject to Section 162(m) of the Code during fiscal 2014 and thereafter.

 

If approved by the Class A Stockholders, the 2013 EPIP will replace the 2008 EPIP. No further awards will be made under the 2008 EPIP upon approval of the 2013 EPIP by the Class A Shareholders.

 

The Company’s compensation programs are based on a pay-for-performance philosophy. A central element of this philosophy is to link the aggregate compensation payable to key employees and the financial performance of the Company generally, as well as the results of the specific business group, division, operational unit or administrative department for which the employee is responsible. The 2013 EPIP is intended to further enhance this direct linkage between performance and compensation for selected key employees of the Company by focusing on overall corporate growth and performance as well as on group, divisional or unit growth and performance.

 

Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a federal income tax deduction to any publicly-held corporation for compensation paid in excess of $1 million in any taxable year to the chief executive officer or any of the three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the chief executive officer and principal financial officer). The Company intends to structure awards under the 2013 EPIP so that compensation resulting therefrom would qualify as “performance-based compensation” eligible for continued deductibility pursuant to Section 162(m). To permit the compensation reflected in an 2013 EPIP award to qualify as performance-based compensation, and thereby preserve its tax deductibility under Section 162(m), the Company, in accordance with Section 162(m), is seeking the approval of the Class A Stockholders of the 2013 EPIP, including the material terms of the performance goals which may be applicable under the 2013 EPIP.

 

The Board of Directors recommends approval of the 2013 EPIP. The following description of the 2013 EPIP is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2013 EPIP, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.

 

Plan Administration

 

The 2013 EPIP will be administered by the HRCC or a subcommittee thereof, which is intended to consist entirely of non-employee directors who meet the criteria of “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code. The HRCC, all of the members of which currently meet the criteria of “outside director,” will select the key employees of the Company eligible to receive awards under the 2013 EPIP and the target pay-out levels and performance targets for such employees. The HRCC will certify the level of attainment of performance targets following the end of each fiscal year.

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Performance Criteria

 

Participants in the 2013 EPIP will be eligible to receive annual cash performance awards based on attainment by the Company (or a subsidiary, parent or group, division, operational unit or administrative department of the Company, subsidiary or parent) of specified performance goals to be established for the participants by the HRCC for each fiscal year. The performance awards will be payable within two and one half (2½) months following the end of the fiscal year with respect to which the payments relate, but only after the HRCC certifies that the relevant performance goals have been attained. A participant and the Company may agree to defer all or a portion of a performance award in a written agreement in accordance with the provisions of the MSPP.

 

Section 162(m) of the Code requires that performance awards be based upon objective performance measures. Under the terms of the 2013 EPIP, performance goals will be based on one or more of the following criteria with regard to the Company (including any group, business division, operational unit or administrative department):

 

(i)        earnings per share from continuing operations;

 

(ii)       performance measured by revenues, net profit, net income, operating income or any combination of any or all of the foregoing (which may be measured without regard to extraordinary items);

 

(iii)      reduction of or other specified objectives with regard to limiting all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs of the Company, subsidiary, parent, group, division, operational unit or administrative department;

 

(iv)      the attainment of certain target levels of revenues, income before income taxes and extraordinary items, net income, earnings before income tax, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or a combination of any or all of the foregoing ;

 

(v)       after-tax or pre-tax profits;

 

(vi)      the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock;

 

(vii)     the growth in the value of an investment in the Company’s Common Stock;

 

(viii)    return on capital employed or return on invested capital;

 

(ix)      after-tax or pre-tax return on stockholders’ equity;

 

(x)       economic value added targets based on a cash flow return on investment formula;

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(xi)      the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, free or operational cash flow; and

 

(xii)     the reduction of or other specified objective with regard to limiting the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company.

 

In addition, such performance goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of the Company’s (or a subsidiary, parent or group, division, operational unit or administrative department of the Company, subsidiary or parent) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. To the extent permitted under the Code, the performance goals may incorporate provisions for disregarding or adjusting for changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions and other similar events or circumstances. To the extent permitted under the Code, the HRCC may also designate additional business criteria on which the performance goals may be based or adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.

 

Term and Amendment of the 2013 EPIP

 

The 2013 EPIP, if approved by the holders of the Class A Stock, will be effective for all fiscal years beginning on and after June 1, 2013. The 2013 EPIP may be amended or discontinued by the Board of Directors at any time, except that approval by the Class A Stockholders is also required for an amendment that materially alters the business criteria on which performance goals are based, increases the maximum annual measuring factor for deferred amounts, changes the class of eligible employees or otherwise requires stockholder approval under Code Section 162(m).

 

Upon approval by the Class A Stockholders, the 2013 EPIP will replace the 2008 EPIP and no further awards will be made under the 2008 EPIP.

 

The 2013 EPIP is not subject to any of the requirements of ERISA nor is it intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.

 

Recommendation

 

The Board of Directors recommends that the Class A Stockholders vote FOR the approval and adoption of the Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan. Assuming the presence of a quorum, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the Class A Stockholders present and entitled to vote on this item at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 2013 EPIP.

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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) to be the independent registered public accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2014. A representative of E&Y will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be afforded the opportunity to make a statement. Such representative will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

The aggregate fees billed by E&Y for professional services to the Company were $4,238,000 for fiscal 2013 and $3,981,600 for fiscal 2012. The total fees for services provided by E&Y to the Company during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2013 and May 31, 2012 are summarized in the table below.

   Fiscal 2013
$
   Fiscal 2012
$
 
Audit Fees  $2,931,000   $3,070,600 
Audit-Related Fees  $805,000   $230,000 
Tax Fees  $502,000   $681,000 
All Other Fees  $   $ 
TOTAL FEES PAID  $4,238,000   $3,981,600 

 

Type of Fee paid   Work performed
Audit Fees Fees related to:
  the annual audit of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting
  quarterly financial statement reviews
  work performed with respect to consents related to SEC registration statement filings
  statutory audits
Audit-Related Fees Fees related to:
  benefit plan audits
  assistance for the response to an SEC comment letter
  other agreed upon procedures.
  stand alone audit of a subsidiary
Tax Fees Fees related to:
  federal, state and international tax compliance
  domestic and international tax consulting

 

In fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, in accordance with Section 10A(i) of the Exchange Act, the Audit Committee approved the Audit Fees and also pre-approved all of the Audit-Related services and Tax services provided by E&Y. The Audit Committee’s non-audit services pre-approval policies require the receipt and analysis of a summary containing a description of the non-audit service proposed to be provided prior to commencement of the engagement. The Audit Committee then makes an evaluation as to whether the provision of the proposed non-audit service by E&Y will affect its independence and also considers the percentage of non-audit fees related to the total audit fees. If a non-audit service is required before the Audit Committee’s next scheduled meeting, the Audit Committee has delegated to its chair, Mr. Oliver, the authority to approve such service on its behalf, provided that such action is reported to the Audit Committee at its next meeting.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE’S REPORT

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013 with the Company’s management. The Audit Committee has discussed with E&Y, the Company’s independent public registered accountants, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards no. 61, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, as modified or supplemented.

 

The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosures and the letter from E&Y required by Rule 3526 of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Audit Committee has discussed the independence of E&Y with that firm.

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions noted above, the Audit Committee unanimously recommended to the Board (and the Board has approved) that the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2013 for filing with the SEC.

 

Audit Committee
 
Augustus K. Oliver, Chairperson
James W. Barge
John L. Davies

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2014 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Stockholders who intend to present proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials regarding the 2014 Annual Meeting must ensure that such proposals are received by the Secretary of the Company not later than April 9, 2014 and that such proposals meet the other requirements contained in SEC Rule 14a-8. In order for a proposal submitted outside of Rule 14a-8 to be considered “timely” within the meaning of SEC Rule 14a-4(c) for consideration at the 2014 Annual Meeting, but not included in the Company’s proxy materials, such proposal must be received no later than June 23, 2014.

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Board is not aware of any other matters to come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matter should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote the proxy according to their best judgment.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors
 
Andrew S. Hedden
Secretary


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[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
2013 EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.        Purpose

 

The purpose of this Plan is to attract, retain, and motivate key employees by providing annual cash performance awards to designated key employees of the Company and its Affiliates. This Plan is intended to establish a clear link between performance and the level of awards paid to such designated key employees with a focus on overall corporate growth and performance as well as on group, divisional or unit growth and performance. This Plan is effective as of July 17, 2013, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

2.        Definitions

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the words which follow shall have the following meaning:

 

(a)        “Affiliate”—shall mean each corporation that is a member of the Company’s affiliated group, within the meaning of Code Section 1504 (without regard to Code Section 1504(b)) other than any subsidiary of the Company that is itself a publicly held corporation, and subsidiaries of such public corporation, as such term is defined in Code Section 162(m) and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder.

 

(b)        “Award”—shall mean the total annual Performance Award as determined under the Plan.

 

(c)        “Board”—shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(d)        “Change in Control of the Company”—shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s employment agreement (if any) or other written agreement with the Company or an Affiliate with respect to the Plan. If a Participant does not have an employment agreement or other written agreement which defines Change in Control, the provisions of the Plan with respect to a Change in Control shall not apply to such Participant.

 

(e)        “Code”—shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor thereto.

 

(f)        “Code Section 162(m)”—shall mean the exception for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code or any successor section and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

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(g)        “Company”—shall mean Scholastic Corporation and any successor by merger, consolidation or otherwise.

 

(h)        “Committee”—shall mean the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board (or subcommittee thereof) or such other Committee of the Board that is appointed by the Board all of whose members shall be “outside directors,” as defined under Code Section 162(m).

 

(i)        “Individual Target Award”—shall mean the targeted performance award for a Plan Year specified by the Committee as provided in Section 5 hereof.

 

(j)        “Participant”—shall mean an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates selected, in accordance with Section 4 hereof, to be eligible to receive an Award in accordance with this Plan.

 

(k)       “Performance Award”—shall mean the amount paid or payable under Section 6 hereof.

 

(l)        “Plan”—shall mean this Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan.

 

(m)      “Plan Year”—shall mean the fiscal year of the Company.

 

3.        Administration and Interpretation of the Plan

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have the exclusive authority and responsibility to: (i) interpret the Plan; (ii) approve the designation of eligible Participants; (iii) set the performance criteria for Awards within the Plan guidelines; (iv) certify attainment of performance goals and other material terms; (v) reduce Awards as provided herein; (vi) authorize the payment of all benefits and expenses of the Plan as they become payable under the Plan; (vii) adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan; and (viii) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or desirable for the Plan’s administration, including, without limitation, correcting any defect, supplying any omission or reconciling any inconsistency in this Plan in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary to carry this Plan into effect, but only to the extent any such action would be permitted under Code Section 162(m).

 

Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members. All decisions of the Committee on any question concerning the selection of Participants and the interpretation and administration of the Plan shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all parties. The Committee may rely on information, and consider recommendations, provided by the Board or the senior management of the Company. The Plan is intended to comply with

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Code Section 162(m), and all provisions contained herein shall be limited, construed, and interpreted in a manner to so comply.

 

4.        Eligibility and Participation

 

(a)        For each Plan Year, the Committee shall select, in its discretion, key employees of the Company or any of its Affiliates who are to participate in the Plan.

 

(b)        No person shall be entitled to any Award under this Plan for any Plan Year unless he or she is so designated as a Participant for that Plan Year. The Committee may add to or delete individuals from the list of designated Participants at any time and from time to time, in its sole discretion, subject to any limitations required to comply with Code Section 162(m).

 

5.        Individual Target Award

 

For each Participant for each Plan Year, the Committee may specify a targeted performance award. The Individual Target Award may be expressed, at the Committee’s discretion, as a fixed dollar amount, a percentage of base pay or total pay (excluding payments made under this Plan), or an amount determined pursuant to an objective formula or standard. Establishment of an Individual Target Award for an employee for a Plan Year shall not imply or require that the same level of Individual Target Award (if any such award is established by the Committee for the relevant employee) be set for any subsequent Plan Year. At the time the Performance Goals are established (as provided in subsection 6.2 below), the Committee shall prescribe a formula to determine the percentages (which may be greater than one-hundred percent (100%)) of the Individual Target Award which may be payable based upon the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals during the Plan Year. Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay a Participant an amount that is less than the Participant’s Individual Target Award (or attained percentage thereof) regardless of the degree of attainment of the Performance Goals; provided that no such discretion to reduce an Award earned based on achievement of the applicable Performance Goals shall be permitted for the Plan Year in which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, or during such Plan Year with regard to the prior Plan Year if the Awards for the prior Plan Year have been earned but have not been paid by the time of the Change in Control of the Company, with regard to individuals who were Participants at the time of the Change in Control of the Company; and further provided that no such discretion to reduce an Award otherwise payable to a Participant shall result in an increase in an Award payable to another Participant.

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6.        Performance Award Program

 

6.1        PERFORMANCE AWARDS. Subject to Section 7 herein, each Participant is eligible to receive up to the achieved percentage of their Individual Target Award for such Plan Year (or, subject to Section 5, such lesser amount as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) based upon the attainment of the objective Performance Goals established pursuant to subsection 6.2 and the formula or standard established pursuant to Section 5. Except as specifically provided in Section 7, no Performance Award shall be paid to a Participant for a Plan Year unless the minimum Performance Goals for such Plan Year are attained.

 

6.2        OBJECTIVE PERFORMANCE GOALS, FORMULAE OR STANDARDS (THE “PERFORMANCE GOALS”). The Committee shall establish the objective performance goals, formulae or standards and the Individual Target Award applicable to each Participant or class of Participants for a Plan Year in writing prior to the beginning of such Plan Year or at such later date as permitted under Code Section 162(m) and while the outcome of the Performance Goals are substantially uncertain. Such Performance Goals may incorporate, if and only to the extent permitted under Code Section 162(m), provisions for disregarding (or adjusting for) changes in accounting methods, corporate transactions (including, without limitation, dispositions and acquisitions) and other similar type events or circumstances. To the extent any such provision would create impermissible discretion under Code Section 162(m) or otherwise violate Code Section 162(m), such provision shall be of no force or effect. These Performance Goals shall be based on one or more of the following criteria with regard to the Company or any of its Affiliates (or a group, division, operational unit or administrative department of the Company or any of its Affiliates): (i) earnings per share or the attainment of a specified percentage increase in earnings per share or earnings per share from continuing operations; (ii) performance measured by revenues, net profit, net income, operating income or any combination of any or all of the foregoing (any or all of which may be measured without regard to extraordinary items); (iii) the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of or increase in, all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs; (iv) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified percentage increase in, revenues, income before income taxes and extraordinary items, net income, earnings before income tax, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or a combination of any or all of the foregoing; (v) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax profits including, without limitation, that attributable to continuing and/or other operations; (vi) the attainment of certain target levels in the fair market value of the shares of the Company’s common stock; (vii) the growth in the value of an investment in the Company’s common stock assuming the reinvestment of dividends; (viii) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, return on capital employed or return on invested capital; (ix) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a percentage increase in, after-tax or pre-tax return on stockholders’ equity; (x) the attainment of certain target levels

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of, or a specified increase in, economic value added targets based on a cash flow return on investment formula; (xi) the attainment of certain target levels of, or a specified increase in, free or operational cash flow; and (xii) the achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, all or a portion of the Company’s bank debt or other long-term or short-term public or private debt or other similar financial obligations of the Company, which may be calculated net of such cash balances and/or other offsets and adjustments as may be established by the Committee. For purposes of items (ii) and (iv) above, “extraordinary items” shall mean all items of gain, loss or expense for the Plan Year determined to be extraordinary or unusual in nature or infrequent in occurrence or related to a corporate transaction (including, without limitation, a disposition or acquisition) or related to a change in accounting principle, all as determined in accordance with standards as defined by the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 225-20.

 

In addition, such Performance Goals may be based upon the attainment of specified levels of Company or any of its Affiliates (or a group, division, operational unit or administrative department of the Company or any of its Affiliates) performance under one or more of the measures described above relative to the performance of other corporations. To the extent permitted under Code Section 162(m), but only to the extent permitted under Code Section 162(m) (including, without limitation, compliance with any requirements for stockholder approval), the Committee may: (i) designate additional business criteria on which the Performance Goals may be based or (ii) adjust, modify or amend the aforementioned business criteria.

 

6.3        COMMITTEE CERTIFICATION. Performance Awards shall not be paid before the Committee certifies in writing that the Performance Goals specified pursuant to subsection 6.2 have been satisfied. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, permit the payment of Performance Awards with respect to a Plan Year in the case of death or “disability” of the Participant (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) or, to the extent provided in Section 7.3 of the Plan, Change in Control of the Company during such Plan Year without regard to actual achievement of the Performance Goals and whether or not payment of such Awards would be deductible; provided, however, that this provision shall be of no force or effect to the extent Awards made under the Plan would fail to be qualified performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m)(4)(C) and Treasury regulations issued thereunder regardless of payment. The Committee may not use its discretion to increase a Performance Award that would otherwise be payable upon attainment of the Performance Goals. The Committee shall use its best efforts to make a determination with regard to satisfaction of the Performance Goals as soon as practicable after the end of each Plan Year.

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7.        Time of Payment

 

7.1        GENERAL. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Awards shall be paid no later than two and one-half 2½ months following the Plan Year in which they are earned subject to the Participant’s continued active employment with the Company or any of its Affiliates on the payment date.

 

7.2        DISABILITY AND DEATH. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may waive the requirement of continued active employment on the payment date in the event that during the Plan Year to which the Performance Award relates the Participant experiences a termination of employment due to death or disability.

 

7.3        CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of a Change in Control of the Company during the Plan Year to which an Award relates, the Committee may, in its discretion, pay upon the consummation of such transaction a pro-rata portion (through the date of the Change in Control of the Company) of the Performance Award for such Plan Year at 100% of the Individual Target Award. Any such immediate pro-rata payment shall reduce any other Award made for such Plan Year under this Plan to the Participant by the amount of the pro-rata payment.

 

7.4        DEFERRAL ELECTION. A Participant may elect to defer payment of an Award pursuant to a written agreement executed on or before the date that is six months before the end of the Plan Year to which the Performance Award relates in accordance with any deferred compensation program in effect applicable to such Participant and in compliance with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Any Performance Award deferred by a Participant shall be subject to the provisions of the Company’s Management Stock Purchase Plan or any successor plan. The Participant shall have no right to receive payment of any deferred Award prior to the attainment of the Performance Goals for the Plan Year to which the Award relates and certification of such attainment by the Committee and until the Participant has a right to receive such amount under the terms of the applicable deferred compensation program.

 

8.        Non-Assignability

 

No Award under this Plan nor any right or benefit under this Plan shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, garnishment, execution or levy of any kind or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, charge, garnish, execute upon or levy upon the same shall be void and shall not be recognized or given effect by the Company.

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9.        No Right to Employment

 

Nothing in the Plan or in any notice of award pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon any person the right to continue in the employment of the Company or any of its Affiliates or affect the right of the Company or any of its Affiliates to terminate the employment of any Participant.

 

10.       Amendment or Termination

 

The Board (or a duly authorized committee thereof) may, in its sole and absolute discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or adopt a new plan in place of this Plan at any time; provided, that no such amendment shall, without the prior approval of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware to the extent required under Code Section 162(m): (i) materially alter the Performance Goals as set forth in subsection 6.2; (ii) change the class of eligible employees set forth in Section 4(a); or (iii) implement any change to a provision of the Plan requiring stockholder approval in order for the Plan to continue to comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m). Furthermore, no amendment, suspension, or termination shall, without the consent of the Participant, alter or impair a Participant’s right to receive payment of an Award for a Plan Year otherwise payable hereunder.

 

11.       Severability

 

In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in the Plan shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan and the Plan shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been contained therein.

 

12.       Withholding

 

The Company shall have the right to make such provisions as it deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any obligations it may have to withhold federal, state, or local income or other taxes incurred by reason of payments pursuant to the Plan.

 

13.       Sections 162(m) and 409A

 

It is intended that the Plan be administered in compliance with Code Section 162(m) so that the Awards paid under the Plan to Participants who are or may become subject to Code Section 162(m) will be treated as qualified performance-based compensation under Code Section 162(m)(4)(C). If any provision of the Plan does not comply with the

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requirements of Code Section 162(m), then the Committee may construe or amend such provision to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

 

It is intended that the Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from, or in compliance with, Code Section 409A. In the event any of the Awards issued under the Plan are subject to Code Section 409A, it is intended that no payment or entitlement pursuant to this Plan will give rise to any adverse tax consequences to a Participant under Code Section 409A. The Plan shall be interpreted to that end and, consistent with that objective and notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Company may unilaterally take any action it deems necessary or desirable to amend any provision herein to avoid the application of or excise tax under Code Section 409A provided that such action is consistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m). Neither the Company nor its Affiliates, nor their current employees, officers, directors, representatives or agents shall have any liability to any current or former Participant with respect to any accelerated taxation, additional taxes, penalties or interest for which any current or former Participant may become liable in the event that any amounts payable under the Plan are determined to violate Section 409A.

 

14.       Governing Law

 

This Plan and any amendments thereto shall be construed, administered, and governed in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the law that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws).

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement, 10K Wrap is/are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION

Annual Meeting of Stockholders

September 18, 2013 9:00 AM

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

 

The undersigned hereby appoints RICHARD ROBINSON AND ANDREW S. HEDDEN, or either of them, each with the full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Scholastic Corporation to be held at 557 Broadway, New York, New York, on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. local time, and at any adjournment thereof, and to vote the shares of Common Stock the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present.

 

This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned. If you are a stockholder of record and no direction is given, this Proxy will be voted FOR the election of directors. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

If all or a portion of the shares you are voting are a result of your being a participant in the Scholastic Corporation 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan, then you may instruct the plan Trustee how to vote all full and fractional shares attributable to your account invested in the Scholastic Corporation Stock Fund on July 26, 2013 by completing the reverse side of this card and returning it by September 13, 2013.

 

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

 

 

 

 
   
SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
557 BROADWAY
NEW YORK, NY 10012
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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS  PROXY  CARD  IS  VALID  ONLY  WHEN  SIGNED  AND  DATED.
                               
              For
All
Withhold
All
For All
Except
  To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.        
                       
  The Board of Directors recommends you vote
FOR the following:
                 
              o o o            
  1. Election of Directors                          
    Nominees                          
                             
  01  James W. Barge              02 Marianne Caponnetto              03 John L. Davies        
                               
  NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.        
   





 
                         
                               
 




Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.
           
                               
                         
  Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date           Signature (Joint Owners) Date      
                         

 

 

SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION

 

Proxy for Annual Meeting of Stockholders, September 18, 2013

 

(The Solicitation of This Proxy is Made of Behalf of the Board of Directors)

 

The undersigned hereby appoints RICHARD ROBINSON and ANDREW S. HEDDEN, or either of them, each with full power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Scholastic Corporation to be held at 557 Broadway, New York, New York, on Wednesday, September 18. 2013, at 9:00 A.M. local time, and at any adjournment thereof, and to vote the shares of Class A Stock the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present.

 

THIS PROXY IS CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE

 

PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY TODAY

 

SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION

CLASS A STOCK PROXY

 

Annual Meeting of Stockholders, September 18, 2013

 

In the absence of specific directions noted below, it is understood that the undersigned’s shares of Class A Stock will be voted FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS and FOR Proposal 2.

 

The undersigned hereby votes the above number of shares of Class A Stock of Scholastic Corporation as follows:

 

1.For the election of: Richard Robinson, Andrew S. Hedden, Mae C. Jemison, Peter M. Mayer, John G. McDonald, Augustus K. Oliver, Richard M. Spaulding and Margaret A. Williams.

 

  FOR:                      WITHHOLD:                       

 

2.For the approval of the Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan.

 

FOR:                      AGAINST:                     ABSTAIN:                     

 

3.In their discretion, the proxies will vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and as may properly be voted upon by the holders of Class A Stock.

 

     
  Class A Stockholder  
  No. of Shares :  

 

Please mark your vote as indicated in this example  X