Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance



 




Exhibit 10.1




CREDIT AGREEMENT




THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of October 1, 2007, by and between
RENAISSANCE LEARNING, INC., a Wisconsin corporation (“Borrower”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION (“Bank”).



RECITALS




Borrower has requested that Bank extend or continue credit to Borrower as described below, and
Bank has agreed to provide such credit to Borrower on the terms and conditions contained herein.



NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, Bank and Borrower hereby agree as follows:



ARTICLE I

CREDIT TERMS





SECTION 1.1. LINE OF CREDIT.



(a) Line of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank
hereby agrees to make advances to Borrower from time to time up to and including May 31, 2009, not
to exceed at any time the aggregate principal amount of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00)
(“Line of Credit”), the proceeds of which shall be used to finance Borrower’s working capital
requirements. Proceeds of the Line of Credit may not be used to finance acquisitions without the
Bank’s prior written consent. Borrower’s obligation to repay advances under the Line of Credit
shall be evidenced by a promissory note dated as of October 1, 2007 (“Line of Credit Note”), all
terms of which are incorporated herein by this reference.



(b) Letter of Credit Subfeature. As a subfeature under the Line of Credit, Bank
agrees from time to time during the term thereof to issue or cause an affiliate to issue standby
letters of credit for the account of Borrower (each, a “Letter of Credit” and collectively,
“Letters of Credit”). The form and substance of each Letter of Credit shall be subject to approval
by Bank, in its sole discretion. No Letter of Credit shall have an expiration date subsequent to
the maturity date of the Line of Credit. The undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit shall be
reserved under the Line of Credit and shall not be available for borrowings thereunder. Each
Letter of Credit shall be subject to the additional terms and conditions of the Letter of Credit
agreements, applications and any related documents required by Bank in connection with the issuance
thereof. Each drawing paid under a Letter of Credit shall be deemed an advance under the Line of
Credit and shall be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement applicable to such advances; provided however, that if advances under the Line of Credit
are not available, for any reason, at the time any drawing is paid, then Borrower shall immediately
pay to Bank the full amount drawn, together with interest thereon from the date such drawing is
paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate of interest applicable to
advances under the Line of Credit. In such event Borrower agrees that Bank, in its sole
discretion, may debit any account maintained by Borrower with Bank for the amount of any such
drawing.



(c) Borrowing and Repayment. Borrower may from time to time during the term of the
Line of Credit borrow, partially or wholly repay its outstanding borrowings, and reborrow, subject
to all of the limitations, terms and conditions contained herein or in the Line of Credit Note;
provided however, that the total outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit shall not at any
time exceed the maximum principal amount available thereunder, as set forth above. Upon any
request by Borrower for an advance on the Line of Credit, such advances shall be subject to a
collateral audit and a Borrowing Base established by Bank.




SECTION 1.2. INTEREST/FEES.



(a) Interest. The outstanding principal balance of each credit subject hereto shall
bear interest, and the amount of each drawing paid under any Letter of Credit shall bear interest
from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrower, at the rate
of interest set forth in each promissory note or other instrument or document executed in
connection therewith.



(b) Computation and Payment. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year, actual days elapsed. Interest shall be payable at the times and place set forth in each
promissory note or other instrument or document required hereby.


 


 









 





(c) Letter of Credit Fees. Borrower shall pay to Bank fees upon the issuance of each
Letter of Credit, upon the payment or negotiation of each drawing under any Letter of Credit and
upon the occurrence of any other activity with respect to any Letter of Credit (including without
limitation, the transfer, amendment or cancellation of any Letter of Credit) determined in
accordance with Bank’s standard fees and charges then in effect for such activity.




SECTION 1.3. COLLATERAL.



As security for all indebtedness and other obligations of Borrower to Bank subject hereto,
Borrower hereby grants to Bank security interests of first priority in all Borrower’s accounts
receivable and other rights to payment, general intangibles, inventory and equipment.



All of the foregoing shall be evidenced by and subject to the terms of such security agreements,
financing statements, deeds or mortgages, and other documents as Bank shall reasonably require, all
in form and substance satisfactory to Bank. Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon demand the
full amount of all charges, costs and expenses (to include fees paid to third parties and all
allocated costs of Bank personnel), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with any of the
foregoing security, including without limitation, filing and recording fees and costs of
appraisals, audits and title insurance.



ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES




Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to Bank, which representations and
warranties shall survive the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and
effect until the full and final payment, and satisfaction and discharge, of all obligations of
Borrower to Bank subject to this Agreement.



SECTION 2.1. LEGAL STATUS. Borrower is a corporation, duly organized and existing and in good
standing under the laws of Wisconsin, and is qualified or licensed to do business (and is in good
standing as a foreign corporation, if applicable) in all jurisdictions in which such qualification
or licensing is required or in which the failure to so qualify or to be so licensed could have a
material adverse effect on Borrower.



SECTION 2.2. AUTHORIZATION AND VALIDITY. This Agreement and each promissory note, contract,
instrument and other document required hereby or at any time hereafter delivered to Bank in
connection herewith (collectively, the “Loan Documents”) have been duly authorized, and upon their
execution and delivery in accordance with the provisions hereof will constitute legal, valid and
binding agreements and obligations of Borrower or the party which executes the same, enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms.



SECTION 2.3. NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of each of the
Loan Documents do not violate any provision of any law or regulation, or contravene any provision
of the Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws of Borrower, or result in any breach of or default
under any contract, obligation, indenture or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or by
which Borrower may be bound.



SECTION 2.4. LITIGATION. There are no pending, or to the best of Borrower’s knowledge
threatened, actions, claims, investigations, suits or proceedings by or before any governmental
authority, arbitrator, court or administrative agency which could have a material adverse effect on
the financial condition or operation of Borrower other than those disclosed by Borrower to Bank in
writing prior to the date hereof.



SECTION 2.5. CORRECTNESS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The annual financial statement of Borrower
dated December 31, 2006, and all interim financial statements delivered to Bank since said date,
true copies of which have been delivered by Borrower to Bank prior to the date hereof, (a) are
complete and correct and present fairly the financial condition of Borrower, (b) disclose all
liabilities of Borrower that are required to be reflected or reserved against under generally
accepted accounting principles, whether liquidated or unliquidated, fixed or contingent, and (c)
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
applied. Since the dates of such financial statements there has been no material adverse change in
the financial condition of Borrower, nor has Borrower mortgaged, pledged, granted a security
interest in or otherwise encumbered any of its assets or properties except in favor of Bank or as
otherwise permitted by Bank in writing.



SECTION 2.6. INCOME TAX RETURNS. Borrower has no knowledge of any pending assessments or
adjustments of its income tax payable with respect to any tax year, except those adjustments that
have been disclosed in the Borrower’s most recent 
10-Q filing with the SEC.


 


 









 





SECTION 2.7. NO SUBORDINATION. There is no agreement, indenture, contract or instrument to
which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower may be bound that requires the subordination in
right of payment of any of Borrower’s obligations subject to this Agreement to any other obligation
of Borrower.



SECTION 2.8. PERMITS, FRANCHISES. Borrower possesses, and will hereafter possess, all
permits, consents, approvals, franchises and licenses required and rights to all trademarks, trade
names, patents, and fictitious names, if any, necessary to enable it to conduct the business in
which it is now engaged in compliance with applicable law.



SECTION 2.9. ERISA. Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended or recodified from
time to time (“ERISA”); Borrower has not violated any provision of any defined employee pension
benefit plan (as defined in ERISA) maintained or contributed to by Borrower (each, a “Plan”); no
Reportable Event as defined in ERISA has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan
initiated by Borrower; Borrower has met its minimum funding requirements under ERISA with respect
to each Plan; and each Plan will be able to fulfill its benefit obligations as they come due in
accordance with the Plan documents and under generally accepted accounting principles.



SECTION 2.10. OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Borrower is not in default on any obligation for borrowed
money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease, commitment, contract, instrument
or obligation.



SECTION 2.11. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed by Borrower to Bank in writing prior
to the date hereof, Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal
or state environmental, hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations
adopted pursuant thereto, which govern or affect any of Borrower’s operations and/or properties,
including without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, and the Federal Toxic Substances Control Act, as any of the
same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. None of the operations of
Borrower is the subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial
action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous
waste or substance into the environment. Borrower has no material contingent liability in
connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.



ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS




SECTION 3.1. CONDITIONS OF INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of Bank to extend any
credit contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s satisfaction of all
of the following conditions:



(a) Approval of Bank Counsel. All legal matters incidental to the extension of credit
by Bank shall be satisfactory to Bank’s counsel.



(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to
Bank, each of the following, duly executed:




	 	(i)	 	This Agreement and each promissory note or other instrument or document
required hereby.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Certificate of Incumbency.
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Corporate Resolution: Borrowing.
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Security Agreement Equipment.
	 
	 	(v)	 	Continuing Security Agreement Rights to Payment and Inventory.
	 
	 	(vi)	 	Notice to Warehouse of Security Interest.
	 
	 	(vii)	 	Insurance Information Request form.
	 
	 	(viii)	 	Billing Invoice.
	 
	 	(ix)	 	Disbursement Order.
	 
	 	(x)	 	Such other documents as Bank may require under any other Section of this
Agreement.





(c) Financial Condition. There shall have been no material adverse change, as
determined by Bank, in the financial condition or business of Borrower, nor any material decline,
as determined by Bank, in the market value of any collateral required hereunder or a substantial or
material portion of the assets of Borrower.


 


 









 





(d) Insurance. Borrower shall have delivered to Bank evidence of insurance coverage
on all Borrower’s property, in form, substance, amounts, covering risks and issued by companies
satisfactory to Bank, and where required by Bank, with loss payable endorsements in favor of Bank.



SECTION 3.2. CONDITIONS OF EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT. The obligation of Bank to make each
extension of credit requested by Borrower hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment to Bank’s
satisfaction of each of the following conditions:



(a) Compliance. The representations and warranties contained herein and in each of
the other Loan Documents shall be true on and as of the date of the signing of this Agreement and
on the date of each extension of credit by Bank pursuant hereto, with the same effect as though
such representations and warranties had been made on and as of each such date, and on each such
date, no Event of Default as defined herein, and no condition, event or act which with the giving
of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute such an Event of Default, shall have
occurred and be continuing or shall exist.



(b) Documentation. Bank shall have received all additional documents which may be
required in connection with such extension of credit.



(c) Additional Letter of Credit Documentation. Prior to the issuance of each Letter
of Credit, Bank shall have received a Letter of Credit Agreement, properly completed and duly
executed by Borrower.



ARTICLE IV

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS




Borrower covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower
pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of
Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of
all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower shall, unless Bank otherwise consents in
writing:



SECTION 4.1. PUNCTUAL PAYMENTS. Punctually pay all principal, interest, fees or other
liabilities due under any of the Loan Documents at the times and place and in the manner specified
therein.



SECTION 4.2. ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Maintain adequate books and records in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and permit any representative of
Bank, at any reasonable time, to inspect, audit and examine such books and records, to make copies
of the same, and to inspect the properties of Borrower.



SECTION 4.3. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Provide to Bank all of the following, in form and detail
satisfactory to Bank:




	 	(a)	 	not later than 90 days after and as of the end of each fiscal year, an annual
audited and unqualified financial statement of Borrower, prepared by a certified public
accountant acceptable to Bank, to include Auditor’s report;
	 
	 	(b)	 	not later than 45 days after and as of the end of each fiscal quarter, a
financial statement of Borrower, prepared by Borrower, to include balance sheet and
income statement;
	 
	 	(c)	 	A Borrowing Base Certificate at the time of any request for an advance on the
Line of Credit and within 30 days after and as of each month end thereafter, so long as
any outstanding balance exists under the Line of Credit and one or both of the
following covenants are not met: (1) Total Liabilities divided by Tangible Net Worth
not greater than 1.0 with “Total Liabilities” defined as the aggregate of current
liabilities and non-current liabilities including deferred revenue less subordinated
debt, and “Tangible Net Worth” defined as the aggregate of total stockholders’ equity
plus subordinated debt less any intangible assets; and (2) Quick Ratio (Unrestricted
cash, unrestricted marketable securities and receivables convertible into cash) divided
by (Total current liabilities including deferred revenue liabilities and Line of Credit
outstandings) not less than 1.00 :1.0;
	 
	 	(d)	 	together with the financial statements submitted as per 4.3(a) and 4.3(b)
above, a compliance certificate, signed by the controller or vice president of the
Borrower, demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance (or noncompliance, as the case
may be) with the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, as amended from time to
time;
	 
	 	(e)	 	from time to time such other information as Bank my reasonably request.




 


 









 










SECTION 4.4. COMPLIANCE. Preserve and maintain all licenses, permits, governmental approvals,
rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the conduct of its business; and comply with the
provisions of all documents pursuant to which Borrower is organized and/or which govern Borrower’s
continued existence and with the requirements of all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any
governmental authority applicable to Borrower and/or its business.



SECTION 4.5. INSURANCE. Maintain and keep in force, for each business in which Borrower is
engaged, insurance of the types and in amounts customarily carried in similar lines of business,
including but not limited to fire, extended coverage, public liability, flood, property damage and
workers’ compensation, with all such insurance in amounts satisfactory to Bank, and deliver to Bank
from time to time at Bank’s request schedules setting forth all insurance then in effect. Such
insurance may be obtained from an insurer or through an insurance agent of Borrower’s choice,
provided that any insurer chosen by Borrower is acceptable to Bank on such reasonable grounds as
may be permitted under applicable law.



SECTION 4.6. FACILITIES. Keep all properties useful or necessary to Borrower’s business in
good repair and condition, and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements
thereto so that such properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained.



SECTION 4.7. TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES. Pay and discharge when due any and all
indebtedness, obligations, assessments and taxes, both real or personal, including without
limitation federal and state income taxes and state and local property taxes and assessments,
except (a) such as Borrower may in good faith contest or as to which a bona fide dispute may arise,
and (b) for which Borrower has made provision, to Bank’s satisfaction, for eventual payment thereof
in the event Borrower is obligated to make such payment.



SECTION 4.8. LITIGATION. Promptly give notice in writing to Bank of any litigation pending or
threatened against Borrower with a claim in excess of $250,000.00.



SECTION 4.9. FINANCIAL CONDITION. Maintain Borrower’s financial condition as follows using
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and used consistently with prior
practices (except to the extent modified by the definitions herein):



(a) Total Liabilities divided by Tangible Net Worth not greater than 4.0 to 1.0 as of the
quarter ending December 31, 2007, not greater than 3.5 to 1.0 as of the quarter ending March 31,
2008, not greater than 3.0 to 1.0 as of the quarter ending June 30, 2008, not greater than 2.5 to
1.0 as of the quarter ending September 30, 2008, not greater than 2.0 to 1.0 as of the quarter
ending December 31, 2008, and not greater than 1.5 to 1.0 as of the quarter ending March 31, 2009
and each fiscal quarter end thereafter, with “Total Liabilities” defined as the aggregate of
current liabilities and non-current liabilities, excluding deferred revenue less subordinated debt,
and with “Tangible Net Worth” defined as the aggregate of total stockholders’ equity plus
subordinated debt less any intangible assets.



(b) Quick Ratio not less than 2.0 to 1.0 as of the quarter ending December 31, 2007 and each
fiscal quarter end thereafter, with “Quick Ratio” defined as the aggregate of unrestricted cash,
unrestricted marketable securities and receivables convertible into cash divided by total current
liabilities excluding deferred revenue.



(c) Operating Profit not less than $1.00 as of the quarter ending December 31, 2007 and each
fiscal quarter end thereafter, with “Operating Profit” defined as operating revenues less operating
expenses.



SECTION 4.10. NOTICE TO BANK. Promptly (but in no event more than five (5) days after the
occurrence of each such event or matter) give written notice to Bank in reasonable detail of:
(a) the occurrence of any Event of Default, or any condition, event or act which with the giving of
notice or the passage of time or both would constitute an Event of Default; (b) any change in the
name or the organizational structure of Borrower; (c) the occurrence and nature of any Reportable
Event or Prohibited Transaction, each as defined in ERISA, or any funding deficiency with respect
to any Plan; or (d) any termination or cancellation of any insurance policy which Borrower is
required to maintain, or any uninsured or partially uninsured loss through liability or property
damage, or through fire, theft or any other cause affecting Borrower’s property.



 


 









 





ARTICLE V

NEGATIVE COVENANTS




Borrower further covenants that so long as Bank remains committed to extend credit to Borrower
pursuant hereto, or any liabilities (whether direct or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated) of
Borrower to Bank under any of the Loan Documents remain outstanding, and until payment in full of
all obligations of Borrower subject hereto, Borrower will not without Bank’s prior written consent:



SECTION 5.1. USE OF FUNDS. Use any of the proceeds of any credit extended hereunder except
for the purposes stated in Article I hereof.



SECTION 5.2. OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any indebtedness or
liabilities resulting from borrowings, loans or advances, whether secured or unsecured, matured or
unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, joint or several, except (a) the liabilities of Borrower to
Bank, (b) any other liabilities of Borrower existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the
date hereof, and (c) advances under the existing line of credit at Wood Trust Bank.



SECTION 5.3. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Merge into or consolidate with any
other entity; make any substantial change in the nature of Borrower’s business as conducted as of
the date hereof; acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any other entity; nor sell,
lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial or material portion of Borrower’s
assets except in the ordinary course of its business.



SECTION 5.4. GUARANTIES. Guarantee or become liable in any way as surety, endorser (other
than as endorser of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business), accommodation endorser or otherwise for, nor pledge or hypothecate any assets of
Borrower as security for, any liabilities or obligations of any other person or entity, except any
of the foregoing in favor of Bank.



SECTION 5.5. LOANS, ADVANCES, INVESTMENTS. Make any loans or advances to or investments in
any person or entity except investments in publicly traded, readily marketable, investment grade
securities, and except any of the foregoing existing as of, and disclosed to Bank prior to, the
date hereof.



SECTION 5.6. PLEDGE OF ASSETS. Mortgage, pledge, grant or permit to exist a security interest
in, or lien upon, all or any portion of Borrower’s assets now owned or hereafter acquired, except
any of the foregoing in favor of Bank or which is existing as of, and disclosed to Bank in writing
prior to, the date hereof.



ARTICLE VI

EVENTS OF DEFAULT




SECTION 6.1. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”
under this Agreement:



(a) Borrower shall fail to pay when due any principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable
under any of the Loan Documents.



(b) Any financial statement or certificate furnished to Bank in connection with, or any
representation or warranty made by Borrower or any other party under this Agreement or any other
Loan Document shall prove to be incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when
furnished or made.



(c) Any default in the performance of or compliance with any obligation, agreement or other
provision contained herein or in any other Loan Document (other than those referred to in
subsections (a) and (b) above), and with respect to any such default which by its nature can be
cured, such default shall continue for a period of twenty (20) days from its occurrence.



(d) Any default in the payment or performance of any obligation, or any defined event of
default, under the terms of any contract or instrument (other than any of the Loan Documents)
pursuant to which Borrower, any guarantor hereunder or any general partner or joint venturer in
Borrower if a partnership or joint venture (with each such guarantor, general partner and/or joint
venturer referred to herein as a “Third Party Obligor”) has incurred any debt or other liability to
any person or entity, including Bank.



(e) The filing of a notice of judgment lien against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor; or
the recording of any abstract of judgment against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor in any county
in which Borrower or such Third Party Obligor has an interest in real property; or the service of a
notice of levy and/or of a writ of attachment or execution, or other like process, against the
assets of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor; or the entry of a judgment against Borrower or any
Third Party Obligor.



 


 









 





(f) Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall become insolvent, or shall suffer or consent to
or apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or liquidator of itself or any of
its property, or shall generally fail to pay its debts as they become due, or shall make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall file a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy, or seeking reorganization, in order to effect a plan or other
arrangement with creditors or any other relief under the Bankruptcy Reform Act, Title 11 of the
United States Code, as amended or recodified from time to time (“Bankruptcy Code”), or under any
state or federal law granting relief to debtors, whether now or hereafter in effect; or any
involuntary petition or proceeding pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or
federal law relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors is filed or
commenced against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor, or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall
file an answer admitting the jurisdiction of the court and the material allegations of any
involuntary petition; or Borrower or any Third Party Obligor shall be adjudicated a bankrupt, or an
order for relief shall be entered against Borrower or any Third Party Obligor by any court of
competent jurisdiction under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable state or federal law
relating to bankruptcy, reorganization or other relief for debtors.



(g) There shall exist or occur any event or condition which Bank in good faith believes
impairs, or is substantially likely to impair, the prospect of payment or performance by Borrower
of its obligations under any of the Loan Documents.



(h) The death or incapacity of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor if an individual. The
dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or any Third Party Obligor if a corporation, partnership,
joint venture or other type of entity; or Borrower or any such Third Party Obligor, or any of its
directors, stockholders or members, shall take action seeking to effect the dissolution or
liquidation of Borrower or such Third Party Obligor.



(i) Any change in ownership of an aggregate of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common
stock of Borrower.



SECTION 6.2. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default: (a) all indebtedness of
Borrower under each of the Loan Documents, any term thereof to the contrary notwithstanding, shall
at Bank’s option and without notice become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
protest or notice of dishonor, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower; (b) the
obligation, if any, of Bank to extend any further credit under any of the Loan Documents shall
immediately cease and terminate; and (c) Bank shall have all rights, powers and remedies available
under each of the Loan Documents, or accorded by law, including without limitation the right to
resort to any or all security for any credit subject hereto and to exercise any or all of the
rights of a beneficiary or secured party pursuant to applicable law. All rights, powers and
remedies of Bank may be exercised at any time by Bank and from time to time after the occurrence of
an Event of Default, are cumulative and not exclusive, and shall be in addition to any other
rights, powers or remedies provided by law or equity.



ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS




SECTION 7.1. NO WAIVER. No delay, failure or discontinuance of Bank in exercising any right,
power or remedy under any of the Loan Documents shall affect or operate as a waiver of such right,
power or remedy; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy
preclude, waive or otherwise affect any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind by Bank of any
breach of or default under any of the Loan Documents must be in writing and shall be effective only
to the extent set forth in such writing.



SECTION 7.2. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands which any party is required or may
desire to give to any other party under any provision of this Agreement must be in writing
delivered to each party at the following address:



	 	 	 
	BORROWER:

	 	RENAISSANCE LEARNING, INC.
	 

	 	2911 Peach St
	 

	 	Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494-1905
	 
	 	 
	BANK:

	 	WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
	 

	 	100 E Wisconsin Ave, Ste 1400
	 

	 	Milwaukee, WI 53202-4107






or to such other address as any party may designate by written notice to all other parties. Each
such notice, request and demand shall be deemed given or made as follows: (a) if sent by hand
delivery, upon delivery; (b) if sent by mail, upon the earlier of the date of receipt or three (3)
days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class and postage prepaid; and (c) if sent by telecopy,
upon receipt.



 


 









 





SECTION 7.3. COSTS, EXPENSES AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES. Borrower shall pay to Bank immediately upon
demand the full amount of all payments, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys’ fees (to include outside counsel fees and all allocated costs of Bank’s in-house
counsel), expended or incurred by Bank in connection with (a) the negotiation and preparation of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Bank’s continued administration hereof and thereof,
and the preparation of any amendments and waivers hereto and thereto, (b) the enforcement of Bank’s
rights and/or the collection of any amounts which become due to Bank under any of the Loan
Documents, and (c) the prosecution or defense of any action in any way related to any of the Loan
Documents, including without limitation, any action for declaratory relief, whether incurred at the
trial or appellate level, in an arbitration proceeding or otherwise, and including any of the
foregoing incurred in connection with any bankruptcy proceeding (including without limitation, any
adversary proceeding, contested matter or motion brought by Bank or any other person) relating to
Borrower or any other person or entity.



SECTION 7.4. SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of
the parties; provided however, that Borrower may not assign or transfer its interests or rights
hereunder without Bank’s prior written consent. Bank reserves the right to sell, assign, transfer,
negotiate or grant participations in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank’s rights and
benefits under each of the Loan Documents. In connection therewith, Bank may disclose all
documents and information which Bank now has or may hereafter acquire relating to any credit
subject hereto, Borrower or its business, or any collateral required hereunder.



SECTION 7.5. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents
constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Bank with respect to each credit subject
hereto and supersede all prior negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence
concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified only in writing
signed by each party hereto.



SECTION 7.6. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is made and entered into for the
sole protection and benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns, and no other person or entity shall be a third party beneficiary of, or have any direct or
indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any other of the Loan
Documents to which it is not a party.



SECTION 7.7. TIME. Time is of the essence of each and every provision of this Agreement and
each other of the Loan Documents.



SECTION 7.8. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS. If any provision of this Agreement shall be
prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity without invalidating the remainder of such provision or
any remaining provisions of this Agreement.



SECTION 7.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which when executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which when taken
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.



SECTION 7.10. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Wisconsin.



SECTION 7.11. BUSINESS PURPOSE. Borrower represents and warrants that each credit subject
hereto is for a business, commercial, investment, or other similar purpose and not primarily for a
personal, family or household use.




SECTION 7.12. ARBITRATION.



(a) Arbitration. The parties hereto agree, upon demand by any party, to submit to
binding arbitration all claims, disputes and controversies between or among them (and their
respective employees, officers, directors, attorneys, and other agents), whether in tort, contract
or otherwise in any way arising out of or relating to (i) any credit subject hereto, or any of the
Loan Documents, and their negotiation, execution, collateralization, administration, repayment,
modification, extension, substitution, formation, inducement, enforcement, default or termination;
or (ii) requests for additional credit.



(b) Governing Rules. Any arbitration proceeding will (i) proceed in a location in
Wisconsin selected by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”); (ii) be governed by the Federal
Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code), notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law
provision in any of the documents between the parties; and (iii) be conducted by the AAA, or such
other administrator as the parties shall mutually agree upon, in accordance with
the AAA’s commercial dispute resolution procedures, unless the claim or counterclaim is at least
$1,000,000.00 exclusive of claimed interest, arbitration fees and costs in which case the
arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the AAA’s optional procedures for large, complex
commercial disputes (the commercial dispute resolution procedures or
the optional procedures for
large, complex commercial disputes to be referred to herein as applicable, as the “Rules”). If
there is any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the Rules, the terms and procedures set
forth herein shall control. Any party who fails or refuses to submit to arbitration following a
demand by any other party shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by such other party in
compelling arbitration of any dispute. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a waiver by
any party that is a bank of the protections afforded to it under 12 U.S.C. §91 or any similar
applicable state law.


 


 









 








(c) No Waiver of Provisional Remedies, Self-Help and Foreclosure. The arbitration
requirement does not limit the right of any party to (i) foreclose against real or personal
property collateral; (ii) exercise self-help remedies relating to collateral or proceeds of
collateral such as setoff or repossession; or (iii) obtain provisional or ancillary remedies such
as replevin, injunctive relief, attachment or the appointment of a receiver, before during or after
the pendency of any arbitration proceeding. This exclusion does not constitute a waiver of the
right or obligation of any party to submit any dispute to arbitration or reference hereunder,
including those arising from the exercise of the actions detailed in sections (i), (ii) and (iii)
of this paragraph.



(d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers. Any arbitration proceeding in which the
amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less will be decided by a single arbitrator selected
according to the Rules, and who shall not render an award of greater than $5,000,000.00. Any
dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote
of a panel of three arbitrators; provided however, that all three arbitrators must actively
participate in all hearings and deliberations. The arbitrator will be a neutral attorney licensed
in the State of Wisconsin or a neutral retired judge of the state or federal judiciary of
Wisconsin, in either case with a minimum of ten years experience in the substantive law applicable
to the subject matter of the dispute to be arbitrated. The arbitrator will determine whether or
not an issue is arbitratable and will give effect to the statutes of limitation in determining any
claim. In any arbitration proceeding the arbitrator will decide (by documents only or with a
hearing at the arbitrator’s discretion) any pre-hearing motions which are similar to motions to
dismiss for failure to state a claim or motions for summary adjudication. The arbitrator shall
resolve all disputes in accordance with the substantive law of Wisconsin and may grant any remedy
or relief that a court of such state could order or grant within the scope hereof and such
ancillary relief as is necessary to make effective any award. The arbitrator shall also have the
power to award recovery of all costs and fees, to impose sanctions and to take such other action as
the arbitrator deems necessary to the same extent a judge could pursuant to the Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure, the Wisconsin Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law. Judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The institution
and maintenance of an action for judicial relief or pursuit of a provisional or ancillary remedy
shall not constitute a waiver of the right of any party, including the plaintiff, to submit the
controversy or claim to arbitration if any other party contests such action for judicial relief.



(e) Discovery. In any arbitration proceeding, discovery will be permitted in
accordance with the Rules. All discovery shall be expressly limited to matters directly relevant
to the dispute being arbitrated and must be completed no later than 20 days before the hearing
date. Any requests for an extension of the discovery periods, or any discovery
disputes, will be subject to final determination by the arbitrator upon a showing that the request
for discovery is essential for the party’s presentation and that no alternative means for obtaining
information is available.



(f) Class Proceedings and Consolidations. No party hereto shall be entitled to join
or consolidate disputes by or against others in any arbitration, except parties who have executed
any Loan Document, or to include in any arbitration any dispute as a representative or member of a
class, or to act in any arbitration in the interest of the general public or in a private attorney
general capacity.



(g) Payment Of Arbitration Costs And Fees. The arbitrator shall award all costs and
expenses of the arbitration proceeding.



(h) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA, the arbitrators and
the parties shall take all action required to conclude any arbitration proceeding within 180 days
of the filing of the dispute with the AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration
proceeding may disclose the existence, content or results thereof, except for disclosures of
information by a party required in the ordinary course of its business or by applicable law or
regulation. If more than one agreement for arbitration by or between the parties potentially
applies to a dispute, the arbitration provision most directly related to the Loan Documents or the
subject matter of the dispute shall control. This arbitration provision shall survive termination,
amendment or expiration of any of the Loan Documents or any relationship between the parties.


 


 









 





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day
and year first written above.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	WELLS FARGO BANK,	 	 
	RENAISSANCE LEARNING, INC.	 	 	 	NATIONAL ASSOCIATION	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ Mary T. Minch
	 	 	 	By:
	 	/s/ Phil Neary	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Title: Senior Vice President-Finance	 	 	 	Title: Senior Vice President	 	 
	Chief Financial Officer and Secretary