LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019

 

or

 

 

For the transition period from _____ to _____

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Commission File Number 000-51371

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LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(973) 736-9340

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐ No ☒

 

As of August 12, 2019, there were 25,231,710 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

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LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2019

PART I– FINANCIAL INFORMATION

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019 AND 2018

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

Business Activities— Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults.  The Company, which currently operates 22 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electrical and electronic systems technology, among other programs), healthcare services (which include nursing, dental assistant, medical administrative assistant, among other programs), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and information technology programs.  The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names.  Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study.  Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas.  All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs managed by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) and applicable state education agencies and accrediting commissions, which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid.

The Company’s business is organized into three reportable business segments:  (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades, (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”), and (c) Transitional, which refers to businesses that have been taught out.

On July 9, 2018, New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc. (“NEIT”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a commercial contract (the “Sale Agreement”) with Elite Property Enterprise, LLC, pursuant to which NEIT agreed to sell to Elite Property Enterprise, LLC the real property owned by  NEIT located at 1126 53rd Court North, Mangonia Park, Palm Beach County, Florida and the improvements and certain personal property located thereon (the “Mangonia Park Property”), for a cash purchase price of $2,550,000.  On August 23, 2018, NEIT, consummated the sale of the Mangonia Park Property.  At the closing, NEIT paid a real estate brokerage fee equal to 5% of the gross sales price and other customary closing costs and expenses.  Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Credit Agreement with its lender, Sterling National Bank, the net cash proceeds of the sale of the Mangonia Park Property were deposited into an account with the lender to serve as additional security for loans and other financial accommodations provided to the Company and its subsidiaries under the credit facility.  In December 2018, the funds were used to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loans outstanding under the credit facility and such repayment permanently reduced the loan outstanding under the credit facility designated as Facility 1 under the Company’s Credit Agreement to a $22.7 million term loan.

Effective December 31, 2018, the Company completed the teach-out and ceased operation of its Lincoln College of New England (“LCNE”) campus at Southington, Connecticut.  The decision to close the LCNE campus followed the previously reported placement of LCNE on probation by the college’s institutional accreditor, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (“NEASC”).  After evaluating alternative options, the Company concluded that teaching out and closing the campus was in the best interest of the Company and its students.  Subsequent to formalizing the LCNE closure decision in August 2018, the Company partnered with Goodwin College, another NEASC- accredited institution in the region, to assist LCNE students to complete their programs of study.  The majority of the LCNE students will continue their education at Goodwin College thereby limiting some of the Company’s closing costs.  The Company recorded closing costs associated with the closure of the LCNE campus in 2018 of approximately $1.6 million in connection with the termination of the LCNE campus lease, which is the net present value of the remaining obligation, to be paid in equal monthly installments through January 2020 and approximately $0.7 million of severance payments.  LCNE results, previously reported in the HOPS segment, were included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2018.

Liquidity— For the last several years, the Company and the proprietary school sector have faced deteriorating earnings. Government regulations have negatively impacted earnings by making it more difficult for potential students to obtain loans, which, when coupled with the overall economic environment, have discouraged potential students from enrolling in post-secondary schools. In light of these factors, the Company has incurred significant operating losses as a result of lower student population.  Despite these challenges, the Company believes that its likely sources of cash should be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months and thereafter for the foreseeable future.  At June 30, 2019, the Company’s sources of cash primarily included cash and cash equivalents of $11.0 million (of which $4.5 million is restricted).  The Company is also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning its cost structure to its student population.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and impairments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, impairments, fixed assets, discount rate for lease liabilities, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequently issued additional guidance that modified ASU 2016-13. ASU 2016-13 and the subsequent modifications are identified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 326. The standard requires an entity to change its accounting approach in determining impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an “incurred loss” to a “current expected credit loss” model. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the effect that ASC 326 will have on our financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

 

In August 2018, the FASB  issued ASU  2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU adds, modifies and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2018-14 will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which eliminates, adds and modifies certain fair value measurement disclosure requirements of Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU No. 2018-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to nonemployees. This ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. An entity should apply the requirements of Topic 718 to nonemployee awards except for specific guidance on inputs to an option pricing model and the attribution of cost. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07 on January 1, 2019.  The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”. The updated guidance allows entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Tax Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at an inappropriate tax rate. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02 on January 1, 2019 and it did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases.”  This guidance amends the existing accounting considerations and treatments for leases through the creation of Topic 842, Leases, to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from such leases.

In July 2018, FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” to further clarify, correct and consolidate various areas previously discussed in ASU 2016-02. FASB also issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases: Targeted Improvements” to provide entities another option for transition and lessors with a practical expedient. The transition option allows entities to not apply ASU No. 2016-02 in comparative periods in the financial statements in the year of adoption. The practical expedient offers lessors an option to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease components when certain criteria are met.

The amendments in ASU No. 2016-02, ASU No. 2018-10 and ASU No. 2018-11 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and allow for modified retrospective adoption with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 and the related amendments on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach and elected the transition relief package of practical expedients by applying previous accounting conclusions under ASC 840 to all leases that existed prior to the transition date. As a result, the Company did not reassess (1) whether existing or expired contracts contain leases, (2) lease classification for any existing or expired leases or (3) whether lease origination costs qualified as initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining a lease term and impairment of the right-of-use (“ROU”) assets at the adoption date. The Company did not separate lease components from non-lease components for the specified asset classes.  The election applies to all operating leases where fixed rent payments incorporate common area maintenance.  For leases where the election does not apply, the common area maintenance is billed by the landlord separately.  Additionally, the Company did not apply the recognition requirements under ASC 842 to short-term leases, generally defined as leases with terms of less than one year.  The Company has operating leases for its corporate office and schools.  The Company does not have any finance leases.

Stock-Based Compensation – The Company measures the value of stock options on the grant date at fair value, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company measures the value of service and performance-based restricted stock on the fair value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of service-based restricted stock utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company amortizes the fair value of the performance-based restricted stock based on the determination of the probable outcome of the performance condition.  If the performance condition is expected to be met, then the Company amortizes the fair value of the number of shares expected to vest utilizing straight-line basis over the requisite performance period of the grant.  However, if the associated performance condition is not expected to be met, then the Company does not recognize the stock-based compensation expense.

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”. This statement requires an asset and a liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

 

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company assesses our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable.  A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, our assessment considers whether there has been sufficient income in recent years and whether sufficient income is expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, the Company considered, among other things, historical levels of income, expected future income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Significant judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns.  Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates, or future income levels could materially impact the Company’s valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognize any interest and penalties expense associated with uncertain tax positions.

 

The weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted loss per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, options to acquire 61,138 and 23,327 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for each period and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive.  For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, options to acquire 118,348 and 74,689 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for each period and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, options to acquire 139,000 shares were excluded from the above table because they have an exercise price that is greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive.

Substantially all of our revenues are considered to be revenues from contracts with students.  The related accounts receivable balances are recorded in our balance sheets as student accounts receivable.  We do not have significant revenue recognized from performance obligations that were satisfied in prior periods, and we do not have any transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations other than in our unearned tuition.  We record revenue for students who withdraw from one of our schools only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.  Unearned tuition represents contract liabilities primarily related to our tuition revenue. We have elected not to provide disclosure about transaction prices allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations if contract durations are less than one-year, or if we have the right to consideration from a student in an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the student for performance obligations completed to date. We have assessed the costs incurred to obtain a contract with a student and determined them to be immaterial.

Unearned tuition in the amount of $19.7 million and $22.5 million is recorded in the current liabilities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The change in this contract liability balance during the six month period ended June 30, 2019 is the result of payments received in advance of satisfying performance obligations, offset by revenue recognized during that period. Revenue recognized for the six month period ended June 30, 2019 that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year was $21.3 million.

The following table depicts the timing of revenue recognition:

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company considers any contract where there is an identified asset and that it has the right to control the use of such asset in determining whether the contract contains a lease.  An operating lease ROU asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are to be recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s operating leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available on the adoption date in determining the present value of lease payments. We estimate the incremental borrowing rate based on a yield curve analysis, utilizing the interest rate derived from the fair value analysis of our Credit Facility and adjusting it for factors that appropriately reflect the profile of secured borrowing over the expected term of the lease. The operating lease ROU assets include any lease payments made prior to the rent commencement date and exclude lease incentives. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 11 years. Lease terms may include options to extend the lease term for up to five years when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option or terminate the lease.  Lease expense for lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases.

The following table present the cumulative effect of the changes made to the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of January 1, 2019, as a result of the adoption of ASC 842:

Our operating lease cost for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 was $3.6 and $7.3 million, respectively.  The ROU asset amortization is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to our operating leases are as follows:

* Includes effect of adoption of ASU 2016-02 and related amendments and a new lease entered into on January 1, 2019 of $5.6 million.

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for our operating leases is as follows:

Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year for our operating leases as of June 30, 2019 are as follows:

As of December 31, 2018, minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases by period were expected to be as follows:

The Company reviews long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.  There were no long-lived asset impairments during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.  The Company concluded that, as of June 30, 2019 and 2018, there were no indicators of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company did not test goodwill for impairment.

The carrying amount of goodwill at June 30, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

As of June 30, 2019 and 2018, the goodwill balance is related to the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment.

Long-term debt consists of the following:

On March 31, 2017, the Company obtained a secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) from Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”) pursuant to a Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2017 among the Company, the Company’s subsidiaries and the Bank, which was subsequently amended on November 29, 2017, February 23, 2018, July 11, 2018 and, most recently, on March 6, 2019 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  Prior to the most recent amendment of the Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”), the financial accommodations available to the Company under the Credit Agreement consisted of (a) a $25 million revolving loan facility designated as “Facility 1”, (b) a $25 million revolving loan facility (including a sublimit amount for letters of credit of $10 million) designated as “Facility 2” and (c) a $15 million revolving credit loan designated as “Facility 3”.

Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amendment and upon its effectiveness, Facility 1 was converted into a term loan (the “Term Loan”) in the original principal amount of $22.7 million (such amount being the entire unpaid principal and accrued interest outstanding under Facility 1 as of the effective date of the Fourth Amendment), which matures on March 31, 2024 (the “Term Loan Maturity Date”).  The Term Loan is being repaid in monthly installments as follows:  (a) on April 1, 2019 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2019, accrued interest only; (b) on July 1, 2019 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2019, the principal amount of $0.2 million  plus accrued interest; (c) on January 1, 2020 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2020, accrued interest only; (d) on July 1, 2020 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2020, the principal amount of $0.6 million plus accrued interest; (e) on January 1, 2021 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2021, accrued interest only; (f) on July 1, 2021 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2021, the principal amount of $0.4 million plus accrued interest; (g) on January 1, 2022 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2022, accrued interest only; (h) on July 1, 2022 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2022, the principal amount of $0.4 million plus accrued interest; (i) on January 1, 2023 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including June 30, 2023, accrued interest only; (j) on July 1, 2023 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including December 31, 2023, the principal amount of $0.4 million plus accrued interest; (k)  on January 1, 2024 and on the same day of each month thereafter through and including the Term Loan Maturity Date, accrued interest only; and (l) on the Term Loan Maturity Date, the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan, together with accrued interest, will be due and payable.  In the event of a sale of any campus, school or business permitted under the Credit Agreement, 25% of the net proceeds of any such sale must be used to pay down the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan in inverse order of maturity.

The maturity date of Facility 2 is April 30, 2020.  Facility 3 matured on May 31, 2019, unused, and is no longer available for borrowing.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, all draws under Facility 2 for letters of credit or revolving loans must be secured by cash collateral in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate stated amount of the letters of credit issued and revolving loans outstanding through the proceeds of the Term Loan or other available cash of the Company.  Notwithstanding such requirement, pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amendment, a $2.5 million revolving loan was advanced under Facility 2 at the closing of the Fourth Amendment on March 6, 2019 and an additional $1.25 million on both April 17, 2019 and July 26, 2019, respectively, without any requirement for cash collateral.  The $5 million in revolving loans advanced under Facility 2 must be repaid on November 1, 2019 and, prior to their repayment, the Company is required to make monthly payments of accrued interest only on such revolving loans.

The Term Loan bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.85% and (y) 6.00%.  Revolving loans advanced under Facility 2 that are cash collateralized will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate and (y) 3.50%.  Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, revolving loans advanced under Facility 2 that are not secured by cash collateral will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.85% and (y) 6.00%.

The Bank is entitled to receive an unused facility fee on the average daily unused balance of Facility 2 at a rate per annum equal to 0.50%, which fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

In the event the Bank’s prime rate is greater than or equal to 6.50% while any loans are outstanding, the Company may be required to enter into a hedging contract in form and content satisfactory to the Bank.

The Company is required to give the Bank the first opportunity to provide any and all traditional banking services required by the Company, including, but not limited to, treasury management, loans and other financing services, on terms mutually acceptable to the Company and the Bank, in accordance with the terms set forth in the Fourth Amendment.  In the event that loans provided under the Credit Agreement are repaid through replacement financing, the Company must pay to the Bank an exit fee in an amount equal to 1.25% of the total amount repaid and the face amount of all letters of credit replaced in connection with the replacement financing; provided, however, that no exit fee will be required in the event the Bank or the Bank’s affiliate arranges or provides the replacement financing or the payoff of the applicable loans occurs after March 5, 2021.

In connection with the effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment, the Company paid to the Bank a one-time modification fee in the amount of $50,000.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, in December 2018, the net proceeds of the sale of the Mangonia Park Property, which were held in a non-interest bearing cash collateral account at and by the Bank as additional collateral for the loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement, were applied to the outstanding principal balance of revolving loans outstanding under Facility 1 and, as a result of such repayment, the loan availability under Facility 1 was permanently reduced to a $22.7 million term loan.

The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien in favor of the Bank on substantially all of the personal property owned by the Company and mortgages on four parcels of real property owned by the Company in Colorado, Tennessee and Texas, at which three of the Company’s schools are located, as well as a former school property owned by the Company located in Connecticut.

Each issuance of a letter of credit under Facility 2 will require the payment of a letter of credit fee to the Bank equal to a rate per annum of 1.75% on the daily amount available to be drawn under the letter of credit, which fee shall be payable in quarterly installments in arrears.  Letters of credit totaling $6.2 million that were outstanding under a $9.5 million letter of credit facility previously provided to the Company by the Bank, which letter of credit facility was set to mature on April 1, 2017, are treated as letters of credit under Facility 2.

The terms of the Credit Agreement require the Company to maintain, on deposit in one or more non-interest bearing accounts, a minimum of $5 million in quarterly average aggregate balances, which, if not maintained, results in a fee of $12,500 payable to the Bank for that quarter.

In addition to the foregoing, the Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants.  The Credit Agreement also contains events of default customary for facilities of this type.  As of June 30, 2019, the Company is in compliance with all covenants, including financial covenants that (i) restrict capital expenditures tested on a fiscal year end basis; (ii) prohibit the incurrence of a net loss commencing on December 31, 2019; and (iii) require a minimum adjusted EBITDA tested quarterly on a rolling twelve month basis.  The Fourth Amendment (i) modifies the minimum adjusted EBITDA required; (ii) eliminates the requirement for a minimum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio; and (iii) requires the maintenance of a maximum funded debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio tested quarterly on a rolling twelve month basis.

As of June 30, 2019, the Company had $26.5 million outstanding under the Credit Facility; offset by $0.4 million of deferred finance fees.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $49.3 million outstanding under the Credit Facility, offset by $0.5 million of deferred finance fees, which were written-off.  As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, letters of credit in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $4.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, were outstanding under the Credit Facility.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt including the short-term portion at June 30, 2019 are as follows:

Restricted Stock

The Company has two stock incentive plans:  a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and a Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors Plan”).

Under the LTIP, certain employees receive awards of restricted shares of common stock based on service and performance.  The number of shares granted to each employee is based on the amount of the award and the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.

On February 28, 2019, restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company, which shares ratably vest over three years.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares.

Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Plan, each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual award of restricted shares of common stock on the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.  The number of shares granted to each non-employee director is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on that date.  The restricted shares vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company completed a net share settlement for 5,518 and 207,642 restricted shares, respectively, on behalf of certain employees that participate in the LTIP upon the vesting of the restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the LTIP.  The net share settlement was in connection with income taxes incurred on restricted shares that vested and were transferred to the employees during 2019 and/or 2018, creating taxable income for the employees.   At the employees’ request, the Company will pay these taxes on behalf of the employees in exchange for the employees returning an equivalent value of restricted shares to the Company.  These transactions resulted in a decrease of less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, to equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as the cash payment of the taxes effectively was a repurchase of the restricted shares granted in previous years.

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

The restricted stock expense for each of the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  The restricted stock expense for each of the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively.  The unrecognized restricted stock expense as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $1.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  As of June 30, 2019, outstanding restricted shares under the LTIP had aggregate intrinsic value of $1.4 million.

Stock Options

The fair value of the stock options used to compute stock-based compensation is the estimated present value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

As of June 30, 2019, there was no unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense.

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to recover the existing deferred tax assets.  In this regard, a significant objective negative evidence was the cumulative losses incurred by the Company in recent years.  On the basis of this evaluation, the realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets was not deemed to be more likely than not and, thus, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2019 except deferred tax liability related to indefinite lived intangibles for which, the valuation allowance was reduced by $0.1 million and a corresponding deferred tax expense was recognized as of June 30, 2019.

In the ordinary conduct of its business, the Company is subject to certain lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, the Company does not believe that any currently pending legal proceedings to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows.

In connection with the foregoing, as previously reported, on July 6, 2018, the Company received an administrative subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey (“NJ OAG”).  Pursuant to the subpoena, the NJ OAG requested certain documents and detailed information relating to the November 21, 2012 Civil Investigative Demand letter addressed to the Company by the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General (“MOAG”) that resulted in a previously reported Final Judgment by Consent between the Company and the MOAG dated July 13, 2015.  The Company responded to this request and, by letter dated April 11, 2019, the NJ OAG issued a supplemental subpoena requesting additional information for the time period from April 11, 2014 to the present.  The Company submitted its response and is continuing to cooperate with the NJ OAG.

Also, on February 12, 2019, the Company received a notification from the State of Colorado Department of Law (“CDOL”) advising that it was initiating a compliance examination of one of its subsidiaries, Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc. The examination seeks to review a fixed number of company transactions.  The Company submitted its response and is cooperating with the CDOL.

The for-profit education industry has been impacted by numerous regulatory changes, a changing economy and an onslaught of negative media attention. As a result of these challenges, student populations have declined and operating costs have increased.  Over the past few years, the Company has closed over ten locations and exited its online business.

In August 2018, the Company decided to cease operations, effective December 31, 2018, of its Lincoln College of New England (“LCNE”) campus at Southington, Connecticut.  LCNE results, which was previously reported in the HOPS segment, is now included in the Transitional segment for all periods presented.  The Company completed the teach-out and exited the LCNE campus on December 31, 2018.  LCNE results, which was previously reported in the HOPS segment, is now included in the Transitional segment for all periods presented.

In the past, we offered any combination of programs at any campus.  We have shifted our focus to program offerings that create greater differentiation among campuses and promote attainment of excellence to attract more students and gain market share.  Also, strategically, we began offering continuing education training to select employers who hire our graduates and this is best achieved at campuses focused on the applicable profession.

As a result of the regulatory environment, market forces and our strategic decisions, we now operate our business in three reportable segments: (a) the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment; (b) the Healthcare and Other Professions segment; and (c) the Transitional segment.  Our reportable segments have been determined based on a method by which we now evaluate performance and allocate resources.  Each reportable segment represents a group of post-secondary education providers that offer a variety of degree and non-degree academic programs.  These segments are organized by key market segments to enhance operational alignment within each segment to more effectively execute our strategic plan.  Each of the Company’s schools is a reporting unit and an operating segment.  Our operating segments are described below.

Transportation and Skilled Trades – The Transportation and Skilled Trades segment offers academic programs mainly in the career-oriented disciplines of transportation and skilled trades (e.g. automotive, diesel, HVAC, welding and manufacturing).

Healthcare and Other Professions – The Healthcare and Other Professions segment offers academic programs in the career-oriented disciplines of health sciences, hospitality and business and information technology (e.g. dental assistant, medical assistant, practical nursing, culinary arts and cosmetology).

Transitional – The Transitional segment refers to campuses that are being taught-out and closed and operations that are being phased out.  The schools in the Transitional segment employ a gradual teach-out process that enables the schools to continue to operate to allow their current students to complete their course of study.  These schools are no longer enrolling new students.

The Company continually evaluates each campus for profitability, earning potential, and customer satisfaction.  This evaluation takes several factors into consideration, including the campus’s geographic location and program offerings, as well as skillsets required of our students by their potential employers.  The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that our programs provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed in the marketplace with the goals of attracting more students to our programs and, ultimately, to provide our shareholders with the maximum return on their investment.  Campuses in the Transitional segment have been subject to this process and have been strategically identified for closure.

We evaluate segment performance based on operating results.  Adjustments to reconcile segment results to consolidated results are included under the caption “Corporate,” which primarily includes unallocated corporate activity.

Summary financial information by reporting segment is as follows:

We estimate the fair value of the Credit Facility based on a present value analysis utilizing aggregate market yields obtained from independent pricing sources for similar financial instruments.

The Company has an agreement with MATCO Tools whereby MATCO provides the Company, on an advance commission basis, credits in MATCO branded tools, tool storage, equipment, and diagnostics products. The chief executive officer of the parent Company of MATCO is considered an immediate family member of one of the Company’s board members.  The amount of the Company’s purchases from this third party was $0.4 million and $1.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Management believes that its agreement with MATCO is an arm’s length transaction and on similar terms as would have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

 

The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company, our business, prospects and our results of operations that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those that may be anticipated by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in our other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise.  Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with the SEC that advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

The interim financial statements and related notes thereto filed in this Form 10-Q and the discussions contained herein should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as filed with the SEC, which includes audited consolidated financial statements for our three fiscal years ended December 31, 2018.

General

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults.  The Company, which currently operates 22 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electrical and electronic systems technology, among other programs), healthcare services (which include nursing, dental assistant and medical administrative assistant, among other programs), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and information technology programs.  The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names.  Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study.  Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas.  All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) and applicable state education agencies and accrediting commissions which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid.

Our business is organized into three reportable business segments:  (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades, (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”), and (c) Transitional, which refers to businesses that have been taught out.

On July 9, 2018, New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc. (“NEIT”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company,

entered into a commercial contract (the “Sale Agreement”) with Elite Property Enterprise, LLC, pursuant to which NEIT agreed to sell to Elite Property Enterprise, LLC the real property owned by  NEIT located at 1126 53rd Court North, Mangonia Park, Palm Beach County, Florida and the improvements and certain personal property located thereon (the “Mangonia Park Property”), for a cash purchase price of $2,550,000.  On August 23, 2018, NEIT, consummated the sale of the Mangonia Park Property.  At the closing, NEIT paid a real estate brokerage fee equal to 5% of the gross sales price and other customary closing costs and expenses.  Pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s credit facility with its lender, Sterling National Bank, the net cash proceeds of the sale of the Mangonia Park Property were deposited into an account with the lender to serve as additional security for loans and other financial accommodations provided to the Company and its subsidiaries under the credit facility.  In December 2018, the funds were used to repay the outstanding principal balance of the loans outstanding under the credit facility and such repayment permanently reduced the revolving loan availability under the credit facility designated as Facility 1 under the Company’s Credit Agreement to $22.7 million.

Effective December 31, 2018, the Company completed the teach-out and ceased operation of its Lincoln College of New England (“LCNE”) campus at Southington, Connecticut.  The decision to close the LCNE campus followed the previously reported placement of LCNE on probation by the college’s institutional accreditor, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (“NEASC”).  After evaluating alternative options, the Company concluded that teaching out and closing the campus was in the best interest of the Company and its students.  Subsequent to formalizing the LCNE closure decision in August 2018, the Company partnered with Goodwin College, another NEASC- accredited institution in the region, to assist LCNE students to complete their programs of study.  The majority of the LCNE students will continue their education at Goodwin College thereby limiting some of the Company’s closing costs.  The Company recorded net costs associated with the closure of the LCNE campus in 2018 of approximately $4.3 million, including (i) $1.6 million in connection with the termination of the LCNE campus lease, which is the net present value of the remaining obligation, to be paid in equal monthly installments through January 2020, (ii) approximately $700,000 of severance payments and (iii) $2.0 million of additional operating losses related to no longer enrolling additional students during 2018.  LCNE results, previously reported in the HOPS segment, were included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2018.

As of June 30, 2019, we had 10,777 students enrolled at 22 campuses in our programs.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For a description of our critical accounting policies and estimates, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

Effect of Inflation

Inflation has not had a material effect on our operations.

Results of Continuing Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

The following table sets forth selected consolidated statements of continuing operations data as a percentage of revenues for each of the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2018

Consolidated Results of Operations

Revenue.   Revenue increased by $2.5 million, or 4%, to $63.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $61.1 million in the prior year comparable period.  Excluding the Transitional segment, which had revenue of zero and $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively, revenue increased by $3.9 million, or 6.6%.  The increase in revenue is due to a 5.8% increase in average student population, which is attributed to the Company’s consistent student start growth over the last seven quarters.

Total student starts increased by 2.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the prior year comparable period.  Excluding the Transitional segment student starts would have increased 3.6% quarter over quarter.

For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Outlook” below.

Educational services and facilities expense.  Our educational services and facilities expense decreased by $0.4 million, or 1.4%, to $29.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $30.2 million in the prior year comparable period.  The expense reductions were primarily due to the Transitional segment, which accounted for $1.2 million in cost savings partially offset by $0.8 million of increased instructional expenses related to our continued growth in student population in addition to increases in instructor salaries.  Educational services and facilities expense, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 46.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from 49.4% in the prior year comparable period.

Selling, general and administrative expense.   Our selling general and administrative expense increased $1.4 million, or 4.2%, to $35.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $34.5 million in the prior year comparable period.   Excluding the Transitional segment, which had cost reductions of $1.1 million, selling, general and administrative expenses would have increased $2.6 million. This increase was primary driven by additional bad debt expense; marketing expense and other corporate expenses.  Increased bad debt expense was a result of a growing student population, which drove an increase in accounts receivable and the correlating bad debt expense.  Marketing increases were a result of initiatives implemented during the quarter designed to continue to drive start growth into the second half of the year.  The remaining increase in administrative expense related to corporate costs incurred in connection with the evaluation of strategic initiatives intended to increase shareholder value.

Net interest expense.   Net interest expense increased $0.3 million, or 55.7%, to $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $0.5 million in the prior year comparable period.  This increase in expense is a direct result of slight increases in both principal and interest rates and the write-off of some non-cash deferred finance fees.

Income taxes.    Our provision for income taxes was $0.1 million, or 4.9% of pretax loss, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.1 million, or 1.2% of pretax loss, in the prior year comparable period.

No federal or state income tax benefit was recognized for the current period loss due to the recognition of a full valuation allowance.  As of June 30, 2019, the full valuation allowance was reduced for deferred tax liability related to indefinite lived intangibles by $0.1 million and $0.1 million of deferred tax expense was recognized.  In addition, minimal state income tax expenses were recognized during the quarter.

As of June 30, 2019, $0.4 million with respect to deferred tax asset for refundable AMT credits was reclassified to income tax receivable as we expect to receive the refund of these credits upon future corporate income tax return filings.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

Consolidated Results of Operations

Revenue.   Revenue increased by $3.8 million, or 3.1%, to $126.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 from $123 million in the prior year comparable period.  Excluding the Transitional segment, which had revenue of zero and $3.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively, revenue increased by $7.7 million, or 6.5%. The increase in revenue is due to a 6.9% increase in average student population, which is attributed to the Company’s consistent student start growth over the last seven quarters.

Total student starts increased by 2.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 as compared to the prior year comparable period.  Excluding the Transitional segment student starts would have increased 4.6% year over year.  We attribute this growth to our improved processes in marketing and admissions.

For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Outlook” below.

Educational services and facilities expense.  Our educational services and facilities expense decreased by $1 million, or 1.6%, to $59.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 from $60.7 million in the prior year comparable period.  The expense reductions were primarily due to the Transitional segment, which accounted for $2.7 million in cost savings partially offset by $1.7 million of increased instructional expenses  related to our increased student population and instructor salary increases.  Educational services and facilities expense, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 47.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 from 49.3% in the prior year comparable period.

Selling, general and administrative expense.   Our selling general and administrative expense increased $2.1 million, or 2.9%, to $74.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 from $72 million in the prior year comparable period.   Excluding the Transitional segment, which had cost reductions of $2.2 million, selling, general and administrative expenses would have increased $4.2 million. This increase was primarily driven by additional bad debt expense, growth in sales and marketing expense and additional other corporate expenses.  Increased bad debt expense was a result of a growing student population, which drove an increase in accounts receivable and the correlating bad debt expense.  Increased marketing initiatives were implemented during the quarter to continue to drive growth and brand awareness.  These initiatives are expected to continue to yield start growth over the next several quarters.  Remaining expense relates to corporate costs incurred in connection with the evaluation of strategic initiatives intended to increase shareholder value.

Net interest expense.   Net interest expense increased $0.3 million, or 26.2%, to $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 from $1.1 million in the prior year comparable period.  This increase in expense is a direct result of slight increases in both principal and interest rates and the write-off of some non-cash deferred finance fees.

Income taxes.    Our provision for income taxes was $0.2 million, or 2.3% of pretax loss, for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.1 million, or 0.9% of pretax loss, in the prior year comparable period.

As of June 30, 2019, the full valuation allowance was reduced for deferred tax liability related to indefinite lived intangibles by $0.1 million and $0.1 million of deferred tax expense was recognized.  In addition, minimal state tax expenses were recognized for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

As of June 30, 2019, $0.4 million with respect to deferred tax asset for refundable AMT credits was reclassified to income tax receivable as we expect to receive the refund of these credits upon future corporate income tax return filings.

 

 

The for-profit education industry has been impacted by numerous regulatory changes, a changing economy and an onslaught of negative media attention. As a result of these challenges, student populations have declined and operating costs have increased.  Over the past few years, the Company has closed over ten locations and exited its online business.

In the past, we offered any combination of programs at any campus.  We have shifted our focus to program offerings that create greater differentiation among campuses and promote attainment of excellence to attract more students and gain market share.  Also, strategically, we began offering continuing education training to select employers who hire our graduates and this is best achieved at campuses focused on the applicable profession.

As a result of the regulatory environment, market forces and our strategic decisions, we now operate our business in three reportable segments: (a) the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment; (b) the Healthcare and Other Professions segment; and (c) the Transitional segment.  Our reportable segments have been determined based on a method by which we now evaluate performance and allocate resources.  Each reportable segment represents a group of post-secondary education providers that offer a variety of degree and non-degree academic programs.  These segments are organized by key market segments to enhance operational alignment within each segment to more effectively execute our strategic plan.  Each of the Company’s schools is a reporting unit and an operating segment.  Our operating segments are described below.

Transportation and Skilled Trades – The Transportation and Skilled Trades segment offers academic programs mainly in the career-oriented disciplines of transportation and skilled trades (e.g. automotive, diesel, HVAC, welding and manufacturing).

Healthcare and Other Professions – The Healthcare and Other Professions segment offers academic programs in the career-oriented disciplines of health sciences, hospitality and business and information technology (e.g. dental assistant, medical assistant, practical nursing, culinary arts and cosmetology).

Transitional – The Transitional segment refers to campuses that are being taught-out and closed and operations that are being phased out.  The schools in the Transitional segment employ a gradual teach-out process that enables the schools to continue to operate to allow their current students to complete their course of study.  These schools are no longer enrolling new students.

The Company continually evaluates each campus for profitability, earning potential, and customer satisfaction.  This evaluation takes several factors into consideration, including the campus’s geographic location and program offerings, as well as skillsets required of our students by their potential employers.  The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that our programs provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed in the marketplace with the goals of attracting more students to our programs and, ultimately, to provide our shareholders with the maximum return on their investment.  Campuses classified in the Transitional segment have been subject to this process and have been strategically identified for closure.  As of June 30, 2019, no campuses have been categorized in the Transitional segment.

We evaluate segment performance based on operating results.  Adjustments to reconcile segment results to consolidated results are included under the caption “Corporate,” which primarily includes unallocated corporate activity.

The following table present results for our three reportable segments for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2018

Student starts for the quarter increased approximately 3.5% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 when compared to the prior year comparable period.

Operating income increased $0.7 million, to $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $1.7 million in the prior year comparable period mainly due to the following factors:

Student starts increased by 3.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 when compared to the prior year comparable period.

Operating income increased by $0.3 million, to $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 from $1.5 million in the prior year comparable period mainly due to the following factors:

During the year ended December 31, 2018, one campus, the LCNE campus at Southington, Connecticut was categorized in the Transitional segment.  This campus has been fully taught out of as of December 31, 2018 and financial information for this campus has been included in the Transitional segment for the period ending June 30, 2018.  As of June 30, 2019, no campuses have been categorized in the Transitional segment.

Revenue was zero and $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Operating loss was zero and $0.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.