Document:

exv10w22

Exhibit
10.22

THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR THE SECURITIES
LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT
TO AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.

PROMISSORY NOTE

			
	 	 	 
	$3,000,000
	 	New York, New York
	 
	 	April 12, 2007

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CAMBIUM LEARNING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”) and successor-in-interest to VSS-CAMBIUM MERGER CORP., a Delaware corporation, hereby
promises to pay to the order of GOLDENTREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES, LP, a Delaware limited
partnership (the “Holder”), or its
registered assigns, on the Maturity Date (as hereinafter defined) (or earlier as hereinafter
provided) the principal sum of THREE MILLION DOLLARS ($3,000,000), plus all “PIK Amounts” (as
hereinafter defined) added to the principal amount hereof pursuant to the terms of this Note, with
interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note from time to time as provided herein. For the
purposes of this Note, the term “Maturity Date” shall mean April 11, 2014.

	1.	 	Note Purchase Agreement; Definitions.
	 
	 	 	This Promissory Note (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented from time to time,
this “Note”) is issued by the Company, on the date hereof, pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreement dated as of April 12, 2007 (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented
from time to time, the “Note Purchase Agreement”) by and among the Company, as
successor-in-interest to VSS-Cambium Merger Corp., VSS-Cambium Holdings, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, the Holder, the other purchasers from time to time party thereto
and the Administrative Agent. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Note, the Note
Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and may enforce the agreements of
each Issuer Party contained herein and therein and exercise the remedies provided for
hereby and thereby or otherwise available in respect hereto and thereto, to the extent
provided herein or therein. Capitalized terms used herein without definition are used
herein with the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Purchase Agreement.
	 
	2.	 	Interest.

	 	(a)	 	The Company promises to pay interest on the Accreted Principal Amount (as
hereinafter defined) of this Note at the rate of eleven and three-quarters percent
(11.75%) per annum. The Company shall pay accrued interest quarterly on the last
Business Day of each March, June, September and December during the term hereof and on
the Maturity Date (each date upon which interest shall be so payable, an “Interest
Payment Date”), commencing on June 29, 2007 and on each Interest Payment Date shall
pay interest accrued through and including such

 

 

	 	 	 	Interest Payment Date. Interest on this Note shall accrue from the date of issuance of the
Original Note (as hereinafter defined) until repayment of the Accreted Principal Amount and
payment of all accrued interest in full. Interest shall accrue and be computed on the basis
of the actual number of days in the related period over 360 days. Through any Interest
Payment Date, interest on the Accreted Principal Amount of this Note at the rate of ten
percent (10%) per annum that shall have accrued and shall be unpaid as of such Interest
Payment Date shall be paid on such Interest Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to an account at a bank designated by the Holder. Through any Interest
Payment Date, interest on the Accreted Principal Amount of this Note
at the rate of one and
three-quarters percent (1.75%) per annum that shall have accrued and shall remain unpaid as
of such Interest Payment Date (for any Interest Payment Date, a “PIK Amount”) shall be paid
on such Interest Payment Date by addition of such PIK Amount to the principal amount
outstanding under this Note. No later than 10 Business Days following the end of each
Fiscal Year, the PIK Amounts added to the principal amount outstanding under this Note
during such Fiscal Year shall be evidenced by a PIK Note and, following the Holder’s
receipt of such PIK Note, shall no longer be a PIK Amount evidenced by this Note. At any
time, the outstanding principal amount of this Note, including all PIK Amounts added
thereto through such time and not evidenced by a PIK Note, is referred to in this Note as
the “Accreted Principal Amount”. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note and the
addition of any PIK Amount to the principal amount outstanding under
this Note, the Company
may, in its sole discretion, pay any PIK Amount in cash on any Interest Payment Date
without any premium or penalty by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account at a bank designated by the Holder. The Company shall give written notice to the
Holder of any such payment of a PIK Amount not less than 1 Business Day prior to the
applicable Interest Payment Date. All cash payments by the Company of
any PIK Amount that
has been added to the principal amount of this Note shall be deducted from the Accreted
Principal Amount. If any promissory notes issued pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, in
addition to this Note and all notes issued pursuant to Section 7(b), (d) or Section 8
hereof, are outstanding (collectively, “Outstanding Notes”) and the Company pursuant to
this paragraph elects to pay all or any portion of the PIK Amount in cash on any Interest
Payment Date, then the Company shall take the same action with respect to all Outstanding
Notes and make such elective cash payments to all holders of Outstanding Notes on a pro
rata basis based upon the Accreted Principal Amount of each Outstanding Note.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section 2, but subject to applicable law, upon and
during the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Accreted Principal Amount of this Note
shall bear interest, from the date of the occurrence of such Event of Default until such
Event of Default is cured or waived, payable on demand in immediately available funds, at a
rate equal to the applicable interest rate in effect hereunder plus two percent (2%) (and
interest shall be paid entirely in cash and no PIK Amount shall be added to the Accreted
Principal Amount of this Note in respect of such interest). In addition, any overdue
interest on this

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	 	 	 	Note shall bear interest, payable on demand in immediately available funds, at a
rate equal to the applicable interest rate in effect hereunder plus two percent
(2%) (and interest shall be paid entirely in cash and no PIK Amount shall be added
to the Accreted Principal Amount of this Note in respect of such interest).
	 
	 	(c)	 	In the event that any interest rate provided for herein shall be determined to
be unlawful, such interest rate shall be computed at the highest rate permitted by
applicable law. Any payment by the Company of any interest amount in excess of that
permitted by law shall be considered a mistake, with the excess being applied to the
principal of this Note without prepayment premium or penalty.

	3.	 	Principal.
	 
	 	 	The Company shall pay the principal amount due under this Note including all PIK Amounts
and all accrued and unpaid interest (all of which shall be payable in cash and no portion
of which shall be payable by addition of a PIK Amount to the Accreted Principal Amount) on
the Maturity Date.
	 
	4.	 	Voluntary Prepayment.

	 	(a)	 	The Outstanding Notes are subject to prepayment at the option of the Company,
in whole or in part, on any date following the second anniversary of the Closing Date.
The Company shall give written notice of voluntary prepayment of this Note or any
portion thereof to the Holder not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the date
fixed for such prepayment. Such notice of voluntary prepayment shall be given in the
manner specified in Section 12.2 of the Note Purchase Agreement. Upon notice of
prepayment being given by the Company to the Holder, the Company covenants and agrees
that the Company shall prepay, on the date fixed for prepayment in the notice therefor,
this Note or the portion hereof so called for prepayment, at the Accreted Principal
Amount thereof or the portion thereof so called for prepayment together with the
prepayment premium thereon described in Section 4(c) below, if applicable, and interest
accrued and unpaid thereon to the date fixed for such prepayment (which interest shall
be paid entirely in cash and no portion of which shall be payable by the addition of a
PIK Amount to the Accreted Principal Amount), together with costs and expenses
including, without limitation, reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel.
	 
	 	(b)	 	All prepayments under this Section 4 shall include payment of accrued interest
on the Accreted Principal Amount so prepaid (which interest shall be paid entirely in
cash and no portion of which shall be payable by the addition of a PIK Amount to the
Accreted Principal Amount) and shall be applied first to all costs, expenses and
indemnities payable under the Note Purchase Agreement, then to payment of default
interest, if any, then to payment of accrued interest, then to the prepayment premium
described in Section 4(c) below, if applicable, and thereafter to principal,
provided, however, each voluntary prepayment of less than the full

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outstanding principal balance of the Outstanding Notes shall be in an aggregate
principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof.

	 	(c)	 	In the event that any portion of the Accreted Principal Amount is voluntarily
prepaid as provided in this Section 4 on any date following the second anniversary of
the Closing Date but prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, subject to
Section 8.2(a)(iii) of the Note Purchase Agreement, there shall be a prepayment premium
payable to the Holder at the time of such prepayment equal to one percent (1%) of the
amount being prepaid.
	 
	 	(d)	 	If there is more than one (1) Outstanding Note, the amounts payable under this
Section 4 and under Section 4 of such other Outstanding Notes shall be applied to the
Outstanding Notes on a pro rata basis.

	5.	 	Mandatory Prepayment.

	 	(a)	 	Not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash
Proceeds of any Asset Sale by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent such
Net Cash Proceeds are not fully utilized to prepay the Senior Debt, the Company shall
make prepayments of this Note in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash
Proceeds; provided that:

	 	(i)	 	no such prepayment shall be required under this 5(a)(i) with
respect to (A) any Asset Sale permitted by Sections 8.2(f)(i) and (vi) of the
Note Purchase Agreement, (B) the disposition of property which constitutes a
Casualty Event, or (C) Asset Sales for fair market value resulting in no more
than $500,000 in Net Cash Proceeds per Asset Sale (or series of related Asset
Sales) and less than $2.5 million in Net Cash Proceeds in any fiscal year,
provided that clause (C) shall not apply in the case of any Asset Sale
described in clause (b) of the definition thereof; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	so long as no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or
would arise therefrom, such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on
such date to the extent that the Company shall have delivered an Officer’s
Certificate to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that
such Net Cash Proceeds are expected to be used to make Permitted Acquisitions
or Capital Expenditures or reinvested in fixed or Capital Assets (or enter
into a binding commitment for any such reinvestment) within 360 days following
the date of such Asset Sale (which Officer’s Certificate shall set forth the
estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); provided that if all or any
portion of such Net Cash Proceeds is not so reinvested within a 180-day period
following such 360 day period, such unused portion shall be applied on the
last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment as provided in this Section
5(a).

	 	(b)	 	Not later than one (1) Business Day following the receipt of any Net Cash
Proceeds of any Debt Issuance (other than Indebtedness permitted to be incurred

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	 	 	 	in accordance with Section 8.2(a)) or Preferred Stock Issuance (as defined below) by
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not fully
utilized to prepay the Senior Debt, the Company shall make prepayments of this Note in an
aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds. As used herein, “Preferred Stock
Issuance” shall mean the issuance or sale by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any
preferred or preference Equity Interests after the Closing Date
(other than (x) as
permitted by Section 8.2(a) or (y) such issuance or sale of any preferred or preference
Equity Interests that is Qualified Capital Stock to the Equity Investors).
	 
	 	(c)	 	Not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds of any
Equity Issuance (other than the Net Cash Proceeds of any Equity Issuance used to finance
Capital Expenditures), to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not fully utilized to prepay
the Senior Debt, the Company shall make prepayments of this Note in an aggregate amount equal
to 50% of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that such percentage shall be reduced to 25% if,
and for so long as, the Total Leverage Ratio as of the end of the most recently ended 4 Fiscal
Quarter period is less than 4.0 to 1.0.
	 
	 	(d)	 	Not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds
(excluding any Net Cash Proceeds payable to the Sellers pursuant to the terms of the
Acquisition Agreement) from a Casualty Event by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, to the
extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not fully utilized to prepay the Senior Debt, the Company
shall make prepayments of this Note in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash
Proceeds; provided that:

	 	(i)	 	so long as no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or arise
therefrom, such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the
extent that the Company shall have delivered an Officer’s Certificate to the
Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Cash Proceeds are
expected to be used to repair, replace or restore (or enter into a binding commitment
for such repair, replacement or restoration) any property in respect of which such
Net Cash Proceeds were paid no later than 360 days following the date of receipt of
such proceeds; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	if any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds shall not be so applied within a
180-day period following such 360 day period, such unused portion shall be applied on
the last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment as provided in this Section
5(d).

	 	(e)	 	Not later than five (5) Business Days following the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from any
Extraordinary Event by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, to the extent such Net Cash
Proceeds are not fully utilized to prepay the Senior Debt, the Company shall make prepayments
of this Note in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds; provided that:

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	 	(i)	 	so long as no Default or Event of Default shall then exist or arise therefrom,
such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent
that the Company shall have delivered an Officer’s Certificate to the
Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that an amount equal to such
Net Cash Proceeds have been or are expected to be used to repair, replace or
restore (or enter into a binding commitment for such repair, replacement or
restoration) any property in respect of which such Net Cash Proceeds were
paid or to reinvest in other fixed or capital assets or used to make Permitted
Acquisitions or Capital Expenditures no later than 360 days following the date of
receipt of such proceeds; and
	 
	 	(ii)	 	if any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds shall not be so applied within a
180-day period following such 360-day period, an amount equal to such unused portion
shall be applied on the last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment as provided
in this Section 5(e).

	 	(f)	 	All prepayments under this Section 5 shall include payment of accrued interest on the
Accreted Principal Amount so prepaid (which interest shall be paid entirely in cash and no
portion of which shall be payable by the addition of a PIK Amount to the Accreted Principal
Amount) and shall be applied first to all costs, expenses and indemnities payable under the
Note Purchase Agreement, then to payment of default interest, if any, then to payment of
accrued interest, and thereafter to principal.
	 
	 	(g)	 	The Company shall give prior written notice of any Net Cash Proceeds required to be paid
under this Section 5 as far in advance as reasonably practicable and shall deliver to the
Holder, at the time of such notice of prepayment, a certificate signed by a Responsible
Officer of the Company setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation of such proposed
prepayment. If there is more than one (1) Outstanding Note, the Net Cash Proceeds payable
under this Section 5 and under Section 5 of such other Outstanding Notes shall be offered to
each of the holders of the Outstanding Notes on a pro rata basis. Each holder of a Note may
decline to receive all (but not a portion) of its pro rate share of the Net Cash Proceeds.
Any such declined proceeds shall be offered to the holders of the Outstanding Notes that have
not rejected the prepayment of the Net Cash Proceeds on a pro rata basis. Net Cash Proceeds
that have been rejected by all of the holders of the Outstanding Notes may be retained by the
Company.
	 
	 	(h)	 	Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if at the end of any accrual period (as
defined in Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) section 1272(a)(5)) ending after the fifth
anniversary of the issuance of this Note, the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid original
issue discount (as defined in Code section 1273(a)(1)) on this Note would, but for this
subsection, exceed an amount equal to the product of this Note’s issue price (as defined in
Code sections 1273(b) and 1274(a)) multiplied by this Note’s yield to maturity (as defined in
Treasury Regulations section 1.1272-1(b)(1)(i)) (the “Maximum Accrual”), the Company

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	 	 	 	shall pay to the Holder such amounts of, first, the accrued and unpaid interest
and, second, principal, in each case, to the extent required, in order to cause the
accrued and unpaid original issue discount on this Note as of the end of such
accrual period to not exceed an amount equal to the Maximum Accrual.

	6.	 	Amendment.
	 
	 	 	Amendments and modifications of this Note may be made only in the manner provided in Section
12.4 of the Note Purchase Agreement.
	 
	7.	 	Transfer; Registration.

	 	(a)	 	The term “Holder” as used herein shall also include any registered transferee
of this Note. Each transferee of this Note acknowledges that this Note has not been
registered under the Securities Act, and the Holder agrees that, prior to any proposed
transfer of this Note, if such transfer is not made pursuant to either an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act, the Holder will, if requested by the Company,
deliver to the Company:

	 	(i)	 	investment representations, substantially similar to those
given by the Purchasers on the Closing Date, signed by the proposed transferee;
	 
	 	(ii)	 	an agreement by such transferee to the inclusion of and
compliance with the restrictive investment legend set forth on this Note; and
	 
	 	(iii)	 	an agreement by such transferee to be bound by the
provisions of this Section 7 relating to the transfer of such Note.

	 	(b)	 	This Note is a registered instrument. The Company shall maintain a register
(the “Note Register”) in its principal offices for the purpose of registering the Note
and any transfer thereof, which register shall reflect and identify, at all times, the
ownership of any interest in the Note. Upon the issuance of this Note, the Company
shall record the name of the initial purchaser of this Note in the Note Register as the
first Holder. Upon surrender for registration of transfer or exchange of this Note at
the principal offices of the Company, the Company shall, at the Company’s expense,
execute and deliver a new Note of like tenor and of a like aggregate principal amount,
registered in the name of the Holder or a transferee or transferees. Every Note
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be
accompanied by written instrument of transfer duly executed by the Holder of such Note
or such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing. The Company shall not have any
obligation hereunder to any Person other than the registered Holder
of this Note.
	 
	 	(c)	 	This Note may be transferred or assigned by the Holder at any time subject to
Sections 7(a), 7(b) and 9 hereof and Section 12.3 of the Note Purchase Agreement.

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	 	(d)	 	In the event that the Holder intends to transfer the Note to more than one
transferee, the Company shall, in good faith, cooperate with the Holder to
effectuate such a transfer and to issue replacement Outstanding Notes in the
appropriate denominations.
	 
	 	(e)	 	The Holder shall bear the costs if any of any transfer or assignment of the Note.

	8.	 	Replacement of Note.
	 
	 	 	On receipt by the Company of an affidavit of an authorized representative of the Holder
stating the circumstances of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Note (and in
the case of any such mutilation, on surrender and cancellation of this Note), the Company,
at its expense, will promptly execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note of like
tenor.
	 
	9.	 	Successors and Assigns; Assignment.
	 
	 	 	All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Note shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Holder and the
Company. The Company may not assign any of its rights under this Note without the prior
written consent of the Holder, any such purported assignment without such consent being null
and void.
	 
	10.	 	GOVERNING LAW.
	 
	 	 	THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW OF SUCH STATE OTHER THAN
SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
	 
	11.	 	WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.
	 
	 	 	EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION
WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF THIS NOTE OR ANY AGREEMENTS OR TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR
THE VALIDITY, PROTECTION, INTERPRETATION, OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF. THE SCOPE OF
THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN
ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THIS NOTE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT
CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH OF THE
COMPANY AND THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT
TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN
ENTERING INTO THIS TRANSACTION, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS
RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH OF THE COMPANY

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	 	 	AND THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS
WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT EACH HAS KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVED ITS JURY
TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING
THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS,
OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THIS NOTE. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION,
THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT. EACH OF THE
COMPANY AND THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE ALSO WAIVES ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY UPON SUCH
BOND THAT MIGHT, BUT FOR THIS WAIVER, BE REQUIRED OF EACH. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE
HOLDER OF THIS NOTE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR ANY AGREEMENTS OR TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY MAY
BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY OR OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY SUBMITS
TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS FOR THE PURPOSES THEREOF AND
EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM OF IMPROPER VENUE AND ANY CLAIM THAT SUCH COURTS ARE AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT,
ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL,
POSTAGE PREPAID, TO ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 12.2 OF THE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT,
SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE TEN (10) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.

	12.	 	Headings.
	 
	 	 	The headings in this Note are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or
otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
	 
	13.	 	Severability.
	 
	 	 	If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any
circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the
validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of
the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired, unless the provisions held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall substantially impair the benefits of the remaining
provisions hereof.

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	14.	 	Substitution and Replacement.
	 
	 	 	This Note substitutes and replaces in its entirety that certain $3,000,000 Promissory Note
dated as of April 12, 2007 issued by VSS-Cambium Merger Corp., predecessor-in-interest to
the Company, to the Holder (the “Original Note”) and is issued in accordance with Section
8.1(s) of the Note Purchase Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amended and Restated
Promissory Note to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	COMPANY

CAMBIUM LEARNING, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Scott J. Troeller
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Scott J. Troeller 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Vice-President & Chief Executive Officer 	 
	 

11exv10w23

Exhibit
10.23

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is dated as of April 12, 2007 between CAMBIUM
LEARNING, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and DAVID CAPPELLUCCI (the “Executive”)

WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Executive is one of the members of VSS-Cambium Holdings, LLC, a newly formed
Delaware limited liability company (the “Parent”), and also is an officer of the Company;

     WHEREAS, the Parent and the Company have entered into a series of agreements whereby the
Parent has agreed to acquire the stock of the Company (the “Transaction”) pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2007, by and among Parent, as purchaser, the Company
and each of the stockholders of the Company, as sellers, as modified by the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2007, by and between Parent, as assignor, and
VSS-Cambium Merger Corp., as assignee (“Merger Corp”), as amended by Amendment of Disclosure
Schedules, dated as of April 11, 2007, and First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as
of April 11, 2007 (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”);

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive as its Chief Executive Officer and the
Executive desires to be so employed by the Company; and

     WHEREAS, the Company, the Parent and the Executive each believe it is in their respective
best interests to enter into this Agreement setting forth the mutual understandings and agreements
reached between the Company and the Executive with respect to the Executive’s employment with the
Company and certain restrictions on the Executive’s conduct benefiting the Company and the Parent
during such time and thereafter, all as set forth herein.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intended to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:

ARTICLE 1

TERM OF AGREEMENT AND EMPLOYMENT

     Section 1.1. Employment.

     During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive
shall serve the Company as the Chief Executive Officer. Subject to the direction and ultimate
authority of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the Executive shall have general
supervision and direction of the business and affairs of the Company subject to the control of the
Board. The Executive shall report to the Board and agrees to perform to the best of his ability,
experience and talent those acts and duties, consistent with the position of Chief Executive
Officer of the Company, as the Board shall from time to time direct. The Executive

 

 

shall serve as a member of the Board or as a member of any governing entity of any Affiliate of the
Company for no additional compensation.

     Section 1.2. Term.

     The term (the “Term”) of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall begin on the
date hereof (the “Effective Date”) and, subject to earlier termination as provided in ARTICLE 5,
shall continue from year to year thereafter unless terminated by either party with 90 days prior
written notice.

ARTICLE 2

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE

     Section 2.1. Compliance With Policies, etc.

     At all times during the performance of this Agreement, the Executive shall adhere to the
Company’s policies, rules and regulations governing the conduct of its employees, now in effect,
or as subsequently adopted or amended.

     Section 2.2. Time Commitment.

     During the term of his employment, the Executive shall use his best efforts to promote the
interests of the Company and its Affiliates and shall devote all of his business time, ability and
attention to the performance of his duties for the Company and its Affiliates and shall not,
directly or indirectly, render any services to any other person or organization, whether for
compensation or otherwise, except with the Board’s prior written consent (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld provided that those services are not inconsistent with, and do not interfere
with, your full-time employment by the Company). The Executive’s principal place of business shall
be in the Natick, Massachusetts area or within thirty-five (35) miles thereof.

ARTICLE 3

COMPENSATION

     Section 3.1. Salary.

     As full compensation for his services hereunder in each and any capacity contemplated, during
the Term, Company shall pay to the Executive a base salary at the rate of $220,000, on an
annualized basis, subject to applicable deductions and withholdings
(“Base Salary”), commencing on
the Effective Date and payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices.
Executive’s rate of Base Salary shall be increased on the first day of each calendar year
occurring during the Term, beginning with January 1, 2008, by the percentage increase for the
prior year in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (Northeast
Urban), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, or by any
greater amount specified by the Board in its sole discretion.

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     Section 3.2. Bonus.

     In addition to his Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible while he remains employed
hereunder, in respect of each calendar year (pro-rated for any partial calendar years during the
Term), to an annual bonus payable in cash and at such times as bonuses are customarily paid to
senior executives of the Company (the “Cash Bonus”), in effect on the last day of the calendar year
with respect to which such Cash Bonus is paid. The Executive’s Cash bonus target (the “Target
Bonus”) shall be equal to 50% of his Base Salary and he shall be eligible to earn up to a maximum
of 100% of his Base Salary (the “Maximum Bonus”). The Cash Bonus shall consist of the following
three components, and each shall be calculated as set forth below (and as more particularly
described in the examples set forth on Exhibit A: annexed hereto and made a part hereof).

     (a) Up to 33.3333% out of the Maximum Bonus Amount shall be based on
achievement of the Board-approved annual budgeted revenue target for the calendar year then
ended.

     (i) If the consolidated gross revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended is less than 90% of the annual budgeted revenue target for that year,
then this component shall equal zero;

     (ii) If the consolidated gross revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended is equal to or greater than 90% but is less than or equal to 100% of the
annual budgeted revenue target, then this component shall be equal to 33.3333% multiplied by the
(i) Target Bonus and (ii) the quotient of (x) the consolidated gross revenues of the Company and
its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then ended; and (y) the Board-approved annual budgeted
revenue target for the calendar year then ended; or

     (iii) If the consolidated gross revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended exceeds 100% but is less than 150% of the annual budgeted revenue target,
then this component shall be equal to the product of (i) 33.3333% by (ii) the Target Bonus and by
(iii) the sum of (x) 100%; and (y) the product of (i) the percentage that the consolidated gross
revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then ended exceeds 100%; and
(ii) 2; or

     (iv) If the consolidated gross revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended is greater than or equal to 150% of the annual budgeted revenue target,
then this component shall be equal to the product of (i) 33% by (ii) the Target Bonus and (ii) 2

     (b) Up to 33.33333% of the Maximum Bonus Amount shall be based on achievement
of the Board-approved annual budgeted Unlevered Free Cash Flow (“UFCF”) target for the
calendar year then ended.

     (i) If the UFCF of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then
ended is less than 90% of the annual budgeted revenue target for that year, then this component
shall equal zero;

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     (ii) If the UFCF of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then
ended is equal to or greater than 90% but is less than or equal to 100% of the annual UFCF target,
then this component shall be equal to 33.3333% multiplied by the (i) Target Bonus and (ii) the
quotient of (x) the UFCF of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then ended; and
(y) the Board-approved UFCF target for the calendar year then ended; or

     (iii) If the UFCF of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then
ended exceeds 100% but is less than 150% of the annual budgeted UFCF target, then this component
shall be equal to the product of (i) 33.3333% by (ii) the Target Bonus and by (iii) the sum of (x)
100%; and (y) the product of (i) the percentage that the UFCF of the Company and its Subsidiaries
for the calendar year then ended exceeds 100%; and (ii) 2; or

     (iv) If the UFCF of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then
ended is greater than or equal to 150% of the annual budgeted UFCF target, then this component
shall be equal to the product of (i) 33.3333% by (ii) the Target Bonus and (ii) 2

     (c) Up to 33.3333% out of the Maximum Bonus Amount shall be based on
achievement of the Board-approved annual budgeted EBITDA target for the calendar year then
ended.

     (i) If the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended is less than 90% of the annual budgeted EBITDA target for that year, then
this component shall equal zero;

     (ii) If the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year ended is equal to or greater than 90% but is less than or equal to 100% of the
annual budgeted EBITDA target, then this component shall be equal to 33.3333% multiplied by the
(i) Target Bonus and (ii) the quotient of (x) the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for the calendar year then ended; and (y) the Board-approved annual budgeted EBITDA
target for the calendar year then ended; or

     (iii) If the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended exceeds 100% but is less than 150% of the annual budgeted EBITDA target,
then this component shall be equal to the product of (i) 33.3333% by (ii) the Target Bonus and by
(iii) the sum of (x) 100%; and (y) the product of (i) the percentage that the consolidated EBITDA
of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the calendar year then ended exceeds 100%; and (ii) 2; or

     (iv) If the consolidated EBITDA of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the
calendar year then ended is greater than or equal to 150% of the annual budgeted EBITDA target,
then this component shall be equal to the product of (i) 33.3333% by (ii) the Target Bonus and
(ii) 2

     (d) The annual budget, including the revenue, UFCF, EBITDA and other
performance targets described above, shall be approved by the Board in its sole discretion and
may be adjusted from time to time by approval of the Board for such developments as material

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acquisitions or dispositions, in order to make the Cash Bonus achievable on a comparable basis
after giving pro forma effect to such developments. All amounts under this Section 3.2 shall be
calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with the Company’s past practice and, where not
inconsistent with such past practice, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied Notwithstanding the foregoing, UFCF and EBITDA targets and actual
EBITDA and UFCF shall be calculated prior to payment of executive bonuses.

     (e) For purposes of this Agreement: (x) “UFCF” shall mean for a given calendar year: (i)
EBITDA for such calendar year, less (ii) capital expenditures made during such calendar
year, less (iii) capitalized development costs incurred during such calendar year,
less (iv) the excess, if any, by which Working Capital for such calendar year exceeds
Working Capital for the immediately preceding calendar year, plus (v) the excess, if any,
by which Working Capital for the Immediately preceding calendar year exceeds Working Capital for
such calendar year; (y) “Working Capital” shall mean, with respect to a given calendar
year, without duplication, current assets, consisting of the sum of the amounts set forth in the
Company’s consolidated balance sheet (as of the last day of such calendar year) line items for (i)
accounts receivable, net, (ii) inventories, net, and (iii) prepaids, net (but excluding prepaid
taxes), less current liabilities, consisting of the sum of the amounts set forth in the
Company’s consolidated balance sheet line items for (i) accounts payable, (ii) commissions and
bonuses, (iii) accrued royalties, (iv) deferred revenue, (v) other accrued expenses and (vi) other
current liabilities (in calculating Working Capital, items shall be classified in a manner
consistent with the manner in which each such item was classified on the Company’s monthly
consolidated balance sheet for January through November 2006); and (z) “EBITDA” shall mean, with
respect to a given calendar year, the sum of (i) “Consolidated EBITDA” as calculated under, and as
reflected in the applicable “Compliance Certificate” delivered pursuant to, the Credit Agreement
(as defined below) for the twelve month period ending on the last day of such calendar year,
plus (ii) if any, all accrued bonus compensation for David Cappellucci, David Caron and
George Logue with respect to such calendar year. The term “Credit Agreement” shall mean
that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of April 12, 2007, by and among Merger Corp, as borrower,
Parent, the Company, Cambium Learning (New York), Inc., Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc., Sopris
West Educational Services, Inc. and IntelliTools, Inc., as guarantors, Credit Suisse Securities
(USA) LLC, as co-syndication agent, BNP Paribas, as co-syndication agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC,
as documentation agent, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the
lenders from time to time party thereto.

     Section 3.3. Management Incentive Plan.

     Executive shall be eligible to participate in the VSS-Cambium Management LLC (“Management
LLC”) Management Incentive Plan as set forth in the limited liability company agreement of the
Management LLC (the “MIP”), and his participation will be reflected in a separate
Agreement Relating to Membership, of even date herewith, between the Management LLC and the
Executive (the “Grant Agreement”). To the extent of any inconsistency between this Agreement and
the Grant Agreement, the terms of the Grant Agreement shall control, including without limitation,
in case of any termination of the Executive’s employment.

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ARTICLE 4

BENEFITS AND EXPENSES

     Section 4.1. Benefit Plans.

     The Executive shall be entitled to participate in all benefit plans generally available to
other senior executives of the Company on the same basis and to the same extent as other senior
executives. The Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation, annually, which
the Executive shall take during such times as shall be consistent with the Executive’s
responsibilities.

     Section 4.2.
General Expense Reimbursement.

     The Company shall reimburse the Executive, in accordance with the Company’s policies, for all
reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of his
duties hereunder. The Executive shall furnish to the Company documentary evidence of each such
expense in the form required to comply with the Company’s policies and all applicable federal and
state tax statutes and regulations issued thereunder for the substantiation of such expense as a
tax deduction.

ARTICLE 5

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

     Section 5.1. Termination Without Cause or Resignation For Good Reason.

     (a) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time
without Cause upon written notice to the Executive. The Executive may terminate his
employment hereunder for Good Reason upon written notice to the Company.

     (b) If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other
than by reason of the Executive’s death or disability) or by the Executive for Good Reason,
the
Executive shall be entitled to receive, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations
to the
Executive under this agreement, (i) his Base Salary through the date of termination of his
employment, (ii) the amount of all then unpaid expense reimbursements due to the Executive
under Section 4.2 for periods prior to the date of termination, (iii) additional payments
equal to
his Base Salary (at the rate in effect at the time of termination) for a period of twelve
months
after termination of his employment, payable in installments (subject to applicable
withholding)
at the same times as the Executive’s salary would have been payable if the Executive’s
employment had not terminated, and (iv) continuation during that twelve-month period of the
health and dental insurance benefits provided to the Executive and his covered dependents
under
the Company’s insurance plans in effect as of the date of termination (except that the
Executive
shall pay that portion of the cost of such insurance as the Executive was required to pay as
of the
date of termination of employment and, if the Executive and his dependents become eligible for
comparable health and dental benefits provided by any other employer, the Company may cease
to provide those benefits to the Executive). As provided in Section 6.2, the Company may elect
to extend for an additional twelve months the period after termination of employment during
which the Company will continue to make salary payments and provide health and dental
insurance benefits to the Executive (in which event the Restrictive Covenants that otherwise

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would be in effect for twelve months following termination of the Executive’s employment shall
remain in effect for 24 months).

     Section 5.2. Termination for Cause; Voluntary Termination.

     (a) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time
for Cause upon written notice to the Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his
employment hereunder at any time without Good Reason.

     (b) If the Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated for Cause or as a
result of the Executive’s voluntary termination of his employment without Good Reason, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations
to the
Executive under this Agreement, the amount of his Base Salary through the date of termination
and the amount of all then unpaid expense reimbursements due to the Executive under Section
4.2 for periods prior to the date of termination.

     Section 5.3. Termination Resulting from Death or Disability.

     (a) If, as the result of any illness, physical or mental incapacity or disability, the
Executive shall be unable to perform his essential job functions, whether with or without
reasonable accommodation, in substantially the manner and to the extent required hereunder
prior to the commencement of such disability, for a period of ninety consecutive days or for a
total of one 180 days in any twelve month period (“Disability”), the Company may, upon thirty
(30) days prior written notice to the Executive, terminate the Executive’s employment under
this
Agreement.

     (b) The death of the Executive shall terminate the Executive’s employment, effective at
the time of his death.

     (c) If the Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of his Disability or death,
the Executive or his estate, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive, in full
discharge of all
of the Company’s obligations to the Executive or his estate, as the case may be: (x) the
amount
of the Executive’s Base Salary through the date of termination of his employment; (y) the
amount of all then unpaid expense reimbursements due to the Executive under Section 4.2 for
periods prior to the date of termination; and (z) the amount of the Executive’s Cash Bonus for
the year of termination (pro-rated for the period through the date of termination of his
employment) as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, based on the Board’s assessment
of the Executive’s individual performance prior to the date of termination and taking into
account the various components of the bonus calculation formula set forth in Section 3.2.

     Section 5.4. Termination Resulting From a Realization Event. If a Realization Event
occurs, this Agreement and Executive’s employment shall terminate as of the date of the
Realization Event. If the Executive’s employment is terminated due to a Realization Event, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive (i) his Base Salary through the date of termination of his
employment, and (ii) the amount of all then unpaid expense reimbursements due to the Executive
under Section 4.2 for periods prior to the date of termination.

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     Section 5.5. Definitions.

     The following definitions apply to this Agreement:

     (a) The term “Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified entity, any individual or
entity that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or
is under common control with, the specified entity.

     (b) The term “Business” means the business of developing, publishing, providing,
licensing, marketing and/or selling intervention-focused math and literacy (including, without
limitation, reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary and other similar areas) and related
educational
and instructional materials, services and technology to educators of pre-kindergarten through
Grade 12 students in the United States education market, and any additional businesses
presently
or hereafter conducted by the Company and its Affiliates during the period of time in which
the
Executive is employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

     (c) The term “Cause” means: (i) fraud, embezzlement or other misappropriation by the
Executive of funds or property of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates,
(ii) the
conviction of the Executive of any felony, (iii) any gross misconduct by the Executive that is
injurious, directly or indirectly, in any respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
Affiliates, or (iv) the Executive’s failure to perform in any material respect any of his
obligations
under this Agreement. “Cause” shall not be deemed to exist under clause (iii) or (iv) above,
however, unless the Company shall have given written notice to the Executive specifying in
reasonable detail the Executive’s acts or omissions that the Company alleges would constitute
“Cause” and the Executive shall have failed to rescind any such act or cure any such omission
within fifteen (15) days after delivery of the notice.

     (d) The term “Realization Event” shall have the same meaning as “Realization Event”
in the MIP.

     (e) The term “Closing Date” shall have the same meaning as in the Stock Purchase
Agreement.

     (f) The term “Confidential Information” shall have the same meaning as in the Stock
Purchase Agreement.

     (g) The term “Good Reason” means: (i) a substantial reduction by the Board of the
Executive’s title, authority, duties or responsibilities with the Company; (ii) a material
reduction
in the Executive’s compensation or benefits (other than a reduction in benefits that is
approved
by the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer and is generally
applicable
to all executives or employees of the Company); (iii) the failure of the Company or the Parent
to
pay when due any amount payable to the Executive under this Agreement, the Parent Operating
Agreement, the MIP or under any plan, program, agreement, arrangement or other commitment
of the Company or the Parent; or (iv) the relocation of the office of the Executive to a
location
which is more than thirty-five (35) miles from Natick, Massachusetts. “Good Reason” shall not
be deemed to exist, however, unless the Executive shall have given written notice to the
Company specifying in reasonable detail the acts or omissions of the Company or the Parent
that
the Executive alleges constitute “Good Reason” and the Company shall have failed to rescind or

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failed to have caused the Parent to rescind any such act or cure any such omission within fifteen
(15) days after the delivery of the notice.

     (h) The terms “Subsidiary” and “Subsidiaries” shall have the same meaning as in the Stock
Purchase Agreement.

     (i) The term “Person” shall have the same meaning as in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

ARTICLE 6

NON-COMPETITION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND

NON-SOLICITATION COVENANTS

     Section 6.1. Non-Competition, Confidentiality, etc.

     (a) The Executive acknowledges that his previous employment has provided, and his continued
employment under this Agreement will provide, the Executive with access on a continual basis to
confidential and proprietary information concerning the Business, the Company, the Parent and
their respective Affiliates. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company would not enter
into this Agreement and the Parent would not permit the Executive to participate in the MIP, but
for the Executive’s agreement to the covenants (the “Restrictive Covenants”) contained in
this Article 6. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that he will, and he will cause any entity over
which he has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies (each, a
“Controlled Person”), strictly to comply with the following provisions:

     (i) during the Restricted Period (as defined in Section 6.2), the Executive shall
not, and shall cause any Person over whom the Executive has the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and/or policies of such person (each, a “Controlled Person”) not to
directly or indirectly, anywhere in the United States, engage in any manner (including without
limitation by owning any interest in, managing, controlling, participating in (whether as an
officer, director, employee, partner, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise), rendering
services to, organizing, planning to organize or providing funding to, a business that is
competitive with the Business; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Executive
(or any Controlled Person) from (1) being a beneficial owner (collectively, with any Controlled
Person) of not more than 3% of the outstanding stock of any class of stock of an entity which is
publicly traded or any limited partnership interest, mutual fund, pooled investment or similar
passive investment over which the Executive (collectively, with any Controlled Person) has no
control regarding or direct participation in the investment decisions and does not participate in
identifying, evaluating, administering or monitoring any new or existing transactions, investments
or portfolio companies engaged in the any business similar to the Business, (2) participating in
(only as a senior executive officer, director or consultant), or otherwise rendering services to,
any conglomerate which derives no more than 10% of its revenues or income from a line of business,
division or subsidiary which is competitive with the Company’s Business; provided that, as part of
the Executive’s (or any Controlled Person’s) duties and responsibilities to that conglomerate, the
Executive (or Controlled Person) will not have any title with respect to, manage, provide
consulting or similar services to, or otherwise

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directly or indirectly participate, in any such competitive business, division or subsidiary other
than indirect participation that may result from the Executive’s (or Controlled Person’s)
participation in the strategic direction of the conglomerate’s business as a whole, or (3) being
the beneficial owner (collectively, with any Controlled Person) of not more than 3% of the
outstanding equity or profits interests of any entity described in clause (2) above;

     (ii) during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
employ, engage, contract for or solicit the services in any capacity of any person who is on the
date hereof, or who was within six months preceding such employment, engagement, contract or
solicitation by the Executive, an employee of, or an independent contractor or consultant to, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the operation of the Company’s Business, unless the
employment of such person has been terminated by the Company or its Subsidiaries without cause (as
determined by the Company or such Subsidiary), such person voluntarily terminates his or her
employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries without inducement by the Executive (or any
Controlled Person), or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries gives its prior written consent to
such employment, engagement, contract or solicitation by the Executive; provided, however, that
general solicitations for employment in a newspaper of general circulation or similar general
solicitations in any media shall not constitute a violation hereof;

     (iii) during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly
hire, or participate in the hiring of, any person who is on the date hereof, or who was within the
six months preceding the date hereof, a department head, director, vice president or president of
the Company or any Subsidiary, unless the employment of such person has been terminated by the
Company or its Subsidiaries without cause (as determined by the Company or such Subsidiary);

     (iv) during the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit
or encourage any person or entity who is on the date hereof, or who was during the twelve month
period preceding the date of termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement, a
customer, client, advertiser, distributor or supplier of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
discontinue such person’s or entity’s business relationship with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;

     (v) the Executive shall not at any time during or after his employment by the
Company use for his own benefit (or the benefit of any of his Affiliates) or divulge or provide to
any third party any Confidential Information relating to the Business, the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, the Parent, or their respective Affiliates, other than in the good faith performance
of his duties to or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to the extent such
Confidential Information is required by applicable law to be divulged to a government agency or
pursuant to subpoena or similar lawful process; and

     (vi) the Executive shall not at any time during or after his employment by the
Company disparage, criticize, defame or slander the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the
Parent, their respective Affiliates, or any of their respective employees, officers, directors,
agents, products or services, to anyone, including but not limited to employees and any past,
present or prospective authors, customers, suppliers, distributors, or other Persons who are

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involved in any aspect of, or in any business complementary to, the Company’s Business, school
districts, principals, Title I and curriculum directors, education associations and educators; and

     (vii) all memoranda, notes, lists, records and other documents (and all copies thereof)
constituting Confidential Information heretofore or hereafter made or compiled by the Executive or
made available to the Executive concerning the Business, the Company, the Parent or any of their
Affiliates shall be the property of the Company, shall be kept confidential in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.1(a)(iv), and shall be delivered to the Company promptly upon termination
of this Agreement or at any earlier or later time upon the request of the Board.

The Company, its subsidiaries, Parent and their respective affiliates shall maintain a neutral
reference policy in regard to the Executive. The Company and its officer, directors, employees and
agents will refrain from disparagement, criticism, defamation and slander of the Executive.

     Section 6.2. Restricted Period.

For the purpose of Section 6.1, the Restricted Period shall be eighteen months from the effective
date of termination of the Executive’s employment, regardless of the reason for termination of the
Executive’s employment, except that, if the Executive’s employment is terminated under Section 5.1(a) (i.e., by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason), the Restricted
Period shall be twelve months from the effective date of termination unless the Company elects to
extend for an additional twelve months the period during which it is obligated to continue to make
payments to the Executive under clause (iii) and to provide health and dental insurance to the
Executive under clause (iv) of Section 5.1(b), in which event the Restricted Period applicable
upon termination of the Executive’s employment under Section 5.1(a) shall be 24 months from the
effective date of termination of employment. The Company may elect to extend the payment period by
notice to the Executive given at any time during the ninety-day period following termination of
the Executive’s employment.

     Section 6.3. Reasonableness; Injunction.

     The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in Section 6.1
are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and that any breach by Executive (or any Controlled Person) of any provision of
Section 6.1 will result in irreparable injury to the Parent, the Company and the Company’s
Subsidiaries. The Executive acknowledges that, in addition to all remedies available at law, the
Company and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to equitable relief, including injunctive relief,
and an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits or other benefits arising from such breach
and shall be entitled to receive such other damages, direct or consequential, as may be
appropriate. Neither the Parent, the Company nor any the Company’s Subsidiaries shall be required
to post any bond or other security or to show actual damages in connection with any proceeding to
enforce the provisions of Section 6.1 Without limiting the generality of Section 7.11, the
provisions of this Section 6.1 shall inure to the benefit of any subsequent transferee of the
Company’s Business or any substantial portion thereof, whether or not this Agreement is assigned
to such transferee.

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ARTICLE 7

GENERAL PROVISIONS

     Section 7.1. Expenses.

     Each of the Company, the Parent and the Executive shall bear its own costs, fees and expenses
in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing to the contrary, the prevailing party in any dispute under this Agreement shall be
entitled to recover from the losing party all fees, expenses and costs (including without
limitation, attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by the prevailing party in connection with such
dispute.

     Section 7.2. Key-Man Insurance.

     Upon the Company’s request, the Executive shall cooperate (including, without limitation,
taking any required physical examinations) in all respects in obtaining a key-man life insurance
policy on the life of the Executive in which the Company is named as the beneficiary.

     Section 7.3. Entire Agreement.

     This Agreement and any agreements executed by the Executive with respect to the MIP
(including, but not limited to, the Grant Agreement) contain a complete statement of all of the
terms of the arrangements between the Executive and the Company with respect to the Executive’s
employment by the Company and supersedes any and all other agreements, whether oral or in writing,
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Each party acknowledges that
no representations, inducements, promises or agreements, whether oral or in writing, have been
made by any party, or on behalf of any party, which are not embodied herein. No agreement, promise
or statement not contained in this Agreement shall be valid and binding, unless agreed to in
writing and signed by the parties sought to be bound thereby.

     Section 7.4. No Other Contracts.

     The Executive represents and warrants to the Company and the Parent that neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive nor the performance by the Executive of
the Executive’s obligations hereunder, shall constitute a default under or a breach of the terms
of any other agreement or contract to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is
bound, nor shall the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive nor the performance
by the Executive of his duties and obligations hereunder give rise to any claim or charge against
either the Executive, the Company or the Parent based upon any other contract, or agreement to
which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound.

     Section 7.5. Notices.

     Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be delivered personally, faxed, or sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service
(with next business day delivery requested). Any such notice or communication shall be deemed
given and effective, in the case of personal delivery, upon receipt by the other party, in the
case of faxed notice, upon transmission of the fax, in the case of a courier service, upon the

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next business day, after dispatch of the notice or communication. Any such notice or
communication shall be addressed as follows:

If to the Company or the Parent to them at:

Cambium Learning, Inc.

c/o Veronis Suhler Stevenson

350 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Scott J. Troeller

Telephone: 212.381.8420

Facsimile: 212.381.8168

With a copy to:

Lowenstein Sandler PC

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Telephone: 212.204.8688

Facsimile: 973.597.2507

Attn: Steven E. Siesser, Esq.

If to the Executive to him at:

David Cappellucci

                                                            

                                                            

Telephone:                                        

Facsimile:                                           

Attn:                                                  

     Any person named above may designate another address or fax number by giving notice in
accordance with this Section to the other persons named above.

     Section 7.6. Governing Law.

     This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State
of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

     Section 7.7. Waiver.

     Either party may waive compliance by the other party with any provision of this Agreement.
The failure of a party to insist on strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion
shall not be considered a waiver or deprive that party of the right thereafter to insist upon
strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement. No waiver of any provision
shall be construed as a waiver of any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing.

-13-

 

     Section 7.8. Separability.

     If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement
shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated and the parties will
attempt to agree upon a valid and enforceable provision which shall be a reasonable substitute for
such invalid and unenforceable provision in light of the tenor of this Agreement, and, upon so
agreeing, shall incorporate such substitute provision in this Agreement. In addition, if any one or
more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or
subject, it shall be construed, by limiting or reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent
compatible with then applicable law.

     Section 7.9. Counterparts.

     This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each such duplicate
counterpart shall constitute an original, any one of which may be introduced in evidence or used
for any other purpose without the production of its duplicate counterpart. Moreover,
notwithstanding that any of the parties did not execute the same counterpart, each counterpart
shall be deemed for all purposes to be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one
and the same instrument, binding on all of the parties hereto.

     Section 7.10. Advice of Counsel.

     Both parties hereto acknowledge that they have had the advice of counsel before entering into
this Agreement, have fully read the Agreement and understand the meaning and import of all the
terms hereof.

     Section 7.11. Assignment; Beneficiaries.

     Neither party may assign any of its or his rights or delegate any of its or his duties under
this Agreement without the prior consent of the other and any assignment or delegation in
violation of this prohibition shall be void. The Parent is an express, intended third party
beneficiary of this Agreement, and may enforce any and all rights and remedies with respect to the
matters contemplated herein.

     Section 7.12 Release.

     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive shall not be
entitled to receive any post-employment compensation or benefits pursuant to Section 5 hereof, or
under any other plan, program, agreement, arrangement or other commitment of the Company, the
Parent or any Affiliate thereof relating to the Executive’s employment, or otherwise, unless prior
to the receipt of such compensation or benefit or the exercise of those rights, the Executive
executes and delivers to the Company a release, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company
under which the Executive releases and discharges the Company, the Parent, and their subsidiaries
and Affiliates and their respective subsidiaries and Affiliates and each of their officers,
managers, employees and agents from any claims and causes of action

-14-

 

of any kind, including, but not limited to, claims and causes of action arising out of the
Executive’s employment or termination of employment, but excluding (a) claims and causes of action
arising solely out of the obligations of the Company or the Parent to make payments or provide
benefits to the Executive after the termination of such employment pursuant to the express
provisions of the Agreement, the Parent Operating Agreement, the MIP or his Grant Agreement, or any
such other plan, program, agreement, arrangement or other commitment; (b) any claim for vested
benefits to which the Executive may be entitled under the Company’s retirement and welfare plans in
which the Executive participates or, if applicable, by application of any federal or state law
providing for the continuation of welfare benefits, including but not limited to COBRA; and (c) any
present or future right to indemnification and defense arising out of the Executive’s employment
with the Company pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws or any policy of insurance maintained by the
Company.

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

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	 	 	COMPANY	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	CAMBIUM LEARNING, INC.	 	 
	 	 	a Delaware corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ Eric Van Ert	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Name:
	 	Eric Van Ert	 	 
	 

	 	Title:
	 	Secretary	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	EXECUTIVE	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:
	 	/s/ David Cappellucci	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	David Cappellucci

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