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School Specialty Inc – ‘10-KT’ for 12/26/15 – ‘EX-101.DEF’

On:  Wednesday, 3/9/16, at 3:41pm ET   ·   For:  12/26/15   ·   Accession #:  1193125-16-498302   ·   File #:  0-24385

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 3/09/16  School Specialty Inc              10-KT      12/26/15  120:13M                                    Donnelley … Solutions/FA

Annual-Transition Report   —   Form 10-K   —   Rule 13a-10 / 15d-10
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-KT       Annual-Transition Report                            HTML   1.52M 
 3: EX-21.1     Subsidiaries List                                   HTML     33K 
 4: EX-23.1     Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML     32K 
 9: EX-99.1     Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     50K 
 2: EX-18.1     Letter re: Change in Accounting Principles          HTML     34K 
 5: EX-31.1     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     38K 
 6: EX-31.2     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     39K 
 7: EX-32.1     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     33K 
 8: EX-32.2     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     33K 
16: R1          Document and Entity Information                     HTML     63K 
17: R2          Consolidated Balance Sheets                         HTML    133K 
18: R3          Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)         HTML     52K 
19: R4          Consolidated Statements of Operations               HTML     86K 
20: R5          Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income     HTML     45K 
                (Loss)                                                           
21: R6          Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity     HTML     79K 
                (Deficit)                                                        
22: R7          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               HTML    189K 
23: R8          Organization and Basis of Presentation              HTML     42K 
24: R9          Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    218K 
25: R10         Bankruptcy Proceedings                              HTML     64K 
26: R11         Fresh Start Accounting                              HTML    146K 
27: R12         Reorganization Items, Net                           HTML     85K 
28: R13         Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate              HTML     44K 
29: R14         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets                HTML    134K 
30: R15         Property, Plant and Equipment                       HTML     49K 
31: R16         Assets Held For Sale                                HTML     37K 
32: R17         Debt                                                HTML     83K 
33: R18         Income Taxes                                        HTML    156K 
34: R19         Operating Lease Commitments                         HTML     39K 
35: R20         Employee Benefit Plans                              HTML     36K 
36: R21         Stockholders' Equity                                HTML     70K 
37: R22         Share-Based Compensation Expense                    HTML    129K 
38: R23         Segment Information                                 HTML    117K 
39: R24         Early Termination Payment                           HTML     37K 
40: R25         Condensed Combined Debtor-in-Possession Financial   HTML    101K 
                Information                                                      
41: R26         Restructuring                                       HTML     67K 
42: R27         Commitments and Contingencies                       HTML     37K 
43: R28         Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)                HTML     89K 
44: R29         Schedule Ii - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts     HTML     61K 
45: R30         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    273K 
                (Policies)                                                       
46: R31         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies          HTML    201K 
                (Tables)                                                         
47: R32         Fresh Start Accounting (Tables)                     HTML    116K 
48: R33         Reorganization Items, Net (Tables)                  HTML     82K 
49: R34         Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate (Tables)     HTML     38K 
50: R35         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)       HTML    123K 
51: R36         Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)              HTML     47K 
52: R37         Debt (Tables)                                       HTML     55K 
53: R38         Income Taxes (Tables)                               HTML    152K 
54: R39         Operating Lease Commitments (Tables)                HTML     39K 
55: R40         Stockholders' Equity (Tables)                       HTML     63K 
56: R41         Share-Based Compensation Expense (Tables)           HTML    124K 
57: R42         Segment Information (Tables)                        HTML    104K 
58: R43         Condensed Combined Debtor-in-Possession Financial   HTML     86K 
                Information (Tables)                                             
59: R44         Restructuring (Tables)                              HTML     66K 
60: R45         Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)       HTML     86K 
61: R46         Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet - Schedule of   HTML    133K 
                Condensed Balance Sheet (Detail)                                 
62: R47         Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet - Schedule of   HTML     52K 
                Condensed Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (Detail)                 
63: R48         Schedule of Condensed Income Statement - Schedule   HTML     92K 
                of Condensed Income Statement (Detail)                           
64: R49         Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement -         HTML    136K 
                Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement (Detail)               
65: R50         Consolidated Other Financial Information -          HTML     94K 
                Consolidated Other Financial Information (Detail)                
66: R51         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies -        HTML    110K 
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
67: R52         Items Measured at Fair Value on Non-recurring       HTML     38K 
                Basis (Detail)                                                   
68: R53         Financial Instruments Where Carrying Value Varies   HTML     53K 
                From Fair Value (Detail)                                         
69: R54         Bankruptcy Proceedings - Additional Information     HTML     61K 
                (Detail)                                                         
70: R55         Fresh Start Accounting - Additional Information     HTML     84K 
                (Detail)                                                         
71: R56         Reorganized Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet    HTML    173K 
                (Detail)                                                         
72: R57         Reorganized Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet    HTML    155K 
                (Parenthetical) (Detail)                                         
73: R58         Schedule of Reorganization Items (Detail)           HTML     91K 
74: R59         Reorganization Items, Net - Additional Information  HTML     60K 
                (Detail)                                                         
75: R60         Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate -            HTML     41K 
                Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate under                     
                Equity Method (Detail)                                           
76: R61         Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate -            HTML     50K 
                Additional Information (Detail)                                  
77: R62         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible   HTML     62K 
                Assets, Excluding Goodwill (Detail)                              
78: R63         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible   HTML     51K 
                Assets, Excluding Goodwill (Parenthetical)                       
                (Detail)                                                         
79: R64         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional   HTML     71K 
                Information (Detail)                                             
80: R65         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible   HTML     45K 
                Asset Amortization Expense (Detail)                              
81: R66         Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes to   HTML     53K 
                Goodwill (Detail)                                                
82: R67         Growth Rates Used for Terminal Value Calculations   HTML     47K 
                and Discount Rates of Respective Reporting Units                 
                (Detail)                                                         
83: R68         Multiples and Control Premiums (Detail)             HTML     45K 
84: R69         Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, Plant     HTML     53K 
                and Equipment (Detail)                                           
85: R70         Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional          HTML     39K 
                Information (Detail)                                             
86: R71         Assets Held for Sale - Additional Information       HTML     40K 
                (Detail)                                                         
87: R72         Debt - Long-Term Debt (Detail)                      HTML     53K 
88: R73         Debt - Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)      HTML     40K 
89: R74         Debt - Additional Information (Detail)              HTML    156K 
90: R75         Related Parties Face Value Holdings in Company's    HTML     52K 
                Term Loan (Detail)                                               
91: R76         Provision for Income Taxes (Detail)                 HTML     71K 
92: R77         Deferred Taxes (Detail)                             HTML     87K 
93: R78         Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)      HTML     44K 
94: R79         Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)                  HTML     73K 
95: R80         Gross Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions         HTML     44K 
                (Detail)                                                         
96: R81         Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Noncancelable   HTML     52K 
                Operating Leases (Detail)                                        
97: R82         Operating Lease Commitments - Additional            HTML     39K 
                Information (Detail)                                             
98: R83         Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information     HTML     36K 
                (Detail)                                                         
99: R84         Earnings Per Share - Computations of Basic and      HTML     72K 
                Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail)                              
100: R85         Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information       HTML     40K  
                (Detail)                                                         
101: R86         Share-Based Compensation Expense - Additional       HTML     95K  
                Information (Detail)                                             
102: R87         Share-Based Compensation Expense - Summary of       HTML     69K  
                Option Transactions (Detail)                                     
103: R88         Share-Based Compensation Expense - Share-Based      HTML     56K  
                Compensation Expense Recognized (Detail)                         
104: R89         Share-Based Compensation Expense - Total            HTML     46K  
                Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense                    
                (Detail)                                                         
105: R90         Share-Based Compensation Expense - Total            HTML     35K  
                Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense                    
                (Parenthetical) (Detail)                                         
106: R91         Summary of Valuation Assumption of Fair Value of    HTML     50K  
                Options (Detail)                                                 
107: R92         Segment Information - Additional Information        HTML     56K  
                (Detail)                                                         
108: R93         Segment Information - Segment Information (Detail)  HTML    162K  
109: R94         Segment Information - Segment Information           HTML     58K  
                (Parenthetical) (Detail)                                         
110: R95         Early Termination Payment - Additional Information  HTML     56K  
                (Detail)                                                         
111: R96         Debtors' Statement of Operations (Detail)           HTML    111K  
112: R97         Debtors' Statement of Comprehensive (Loss)          HTML     58K  
                (Detail)                                                         
113: R98         Stockholders' Equity - Changes in Condensed         HTML    101K  
                Consolidated Stockholders' Equity (Detail)                       
114: R99         Debtors' Statement of Cash Flows (Detail)           HTML    198K  
115: R100        Restructuring - Reconciliation of Accrued           HTML     63K  
                Restructuring Costs (Detail)                                     
116: R101        Quarterly Financial Data (Detail)                   HTML     80K  
117: R102        Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts     HTML     54K  
                (Detail)                                                         
119: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    221K  
118: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports                  XLSX    161K  
10: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- scoo-20151226                       XML   4.22M 
12: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- scoo-20151226_cal               XML    457K 
13: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- scoo-20151226_def                XML   1.29M 
14: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- scoo-20151226_lab                     XML   1.82M 
15: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- scoo-20151226_pre              XML   1.75M 
11: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- scoo-20151226                         XSD    284K 
120: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001193125-16-498302-xbrl      Zip    334K  


‘EX-101.DEF’   —   XBRL Definitions — scoo-20151226_def


This Exhibit is an XBRL XML File.


                                                                                                                                                                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<!-- RR Donnelley Xcelerate Taxonomy Definition Linkbase, based on XBRL 2.1 http://www.rrdonnelley.com/ -->
<!-- Version: 6.22.4 -->
<!-- Round: 3 -->
<!-- Creation date: 2016-03-09T17:50:54Z -->
<!-- Copyright (c) 2005-2013 R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company All Rights Reserved. -->
<linkbase xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#Role_StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#Role_StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParen" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParenthetical"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#Role_StatementOfIncome" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncome"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#Role_StatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncome" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfOtherComprehensiveIncome"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#Role_ci-StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#Role_StatementOfCashFlowsIndirect" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsIndirect"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheet" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheet"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetScheduleOfCondensedBalanceSheetParenthetical"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedIncomeStatementScheduleOfCondensedIncomeStatement" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedIncomeStatementScheduleOfCondensedIncomeStatement"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedCashFlowStatementScheduleOfCondensedCashFlowStatement" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfCondensedCashFlowStatementScheduleOfCondensedCashFlowStatement"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureConsolidatedOtherFinancialInformationConsolidatedOtherFinancialInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureConsolidatedOtherFinancialInformationConsolidatedOtherFinancialInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureItemsMeasuredAtFairValueOnNonrecurringBasis" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureItemsMeasuredAtFairValueOnNonrecurringBasis"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsWhereCarryingValueVariesFromFairValue" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFinancialInstrumentsWhereCarryingValueVariesFromFairValue"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureBankruptcyProceedingsAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureBankruptcyProceedingsAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureFreshStartAccountingAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFreshStartAccountingAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureReorganizedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheet" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureReorganizedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheet"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureReorganizedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureReorganizedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetParenthetical"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureScheduleOfReorganizationItems" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureScheduleOfReorganizationItems"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureReorganizationItemsNetAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureReorganizationItemsNetAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliateInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliateUnderEquityMethod" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliateInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliateUnderEquityMethod"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliateAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInvestmentInUnconsolidatedAffiliateAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillParenthetical"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetAmortizationExpense" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetAmortizationExpense"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsChangesToGoodwill" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsChangesToGoodwill"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGrowthRatesUsedForTerminalValueCalculationsAndDiscountRatesOfRespectiveReportingUnits" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGrowthRatesUsedForTerminalValueCalculationsAndDiscountRatesOfRespectiveReportingUnits"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureMultiplesAndControlPremiums" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureMultiplesAndControlPremiums"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentPropertyPlantAndEquipment" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyPlantAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureAssetsHeldForSaleAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAssetsHeldForSaleAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureDebtLongTermDebt" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtLongTermDebt"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureDebtAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtAdditionalInformation"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureRelatedPartiesFaceValueHoldingsInCompanysTermLoan" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureRelatedPartiesFaceValueHoldingsInCompanysTermLoan"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureProvisionForIncomeTaxes" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureProvisionForIncomeTaxes"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureEffectiveIncomeTaxRate" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEffectiveIncomeTaxRate"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureGrossLiabilityForUncertainTaxPositions" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureGrossLiabilityForUncertainTaxPositions"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderNoncancelableOperatingLeases" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsUnderNoncancelableOperatingLeases"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureOperatingLeaseCommitmentsAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOperatingLeaseCommitmentsAdditionalInformation"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureEarningsPerShareComputationsOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarningsPerShareComputationsOfBasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformation"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseSummaryOfOptionTransactions" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseSummaryOfOptionTransactions"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseShareBasedCompensationExpenseRecognized" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseShareBasedCompensationExpenseRecognized"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseTotalUnrecognizedShareBasedCompensationExpenseParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureShareBasedCompensationExpenseTotalUnrecognizedShareBasedCompensationExpenseParenthetical"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfValuationAssumptionOfFairValueOfOptions" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSummaryOfValuationAssumptionOfFairValueOfOptions"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureSegmentInformationAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationAdditionalInformation"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureSegmentInformationSegmentInformationParenthetical" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationSegmentInformationParenthetical"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureEarlyTerminationPaymentAdditionalInformation" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureEarlyTerminationPaymentAdditionalInformation"/>
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<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureDebtorsStatementOfComprehensiveLoss" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtorsStatementOfComprehensiveLoss"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureStockholdersEquityChangesInCondensedConsolidatedStockholdersEquity" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityChangesInCondensedConsolidatedStockholdersEquity"/>
<roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="scoo-20151226.xsd#DisclosureDebtorsStatementOfCashFlows" roleURI="http://www.schoolspecialty.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureDebtorsStatementOfCashFlows"/>
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2 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 9/13/16  SEC                               UPLOAD10/04/17    1:33K  School Specialty Inc.
 8/08/16  SEC                               UPLOAD10/04/17    1:162K School Specialty Inc.
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