NOTE 8 – EMPLOYEE STOCK PLANS

The Company reserved 1.6 million shares of common stock for issuance to employees and directors pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (2014 Equity Plan). As of February 28, 2023 and August 31, 2022, there were 838,755 shares and 912,953 shares available for grant under the 2014 Equity Plan. Prior to the effective date of the 2014 Equity Plan, the Company granted options and stock awards to eligible participants under its 2004 Incentive Plan (2004 Incentive Plan), which expired on April 11, 2014. No additional awards may be granted pursuant to the 2004 Incentive Plan.

The following table summarizes the combined stock option activity for the 2004 Incentive Plan and 2014 Equity Plan for the periods noted:

​

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2022, the Company had net settlement exercises of stock options, whereby the optionee did not pay cash for the options exercised but instead received the number of shares equal to the difference between the exercise price and the market price on the date of exercise. During the three months ended February 28, 2022, net settlement exercises resulted in 17,422 shares being issued and 21,578 options being cancelled in settlement of the shares issued. During the six months ended February 28, 2022, net settlement exercises resulted in 23,889 shares being issued and 28,278 options being cancelled in settlement of shares issued. During the three and six months ended February 28, 2022, the Company issued 6,000 stock options, with an exercise price of $5.66 per share, where the option holder used cash to exercise the options.

​

There were no options exercised during the three and six months ended February 28, 2023.

​

The following table summarizes the combined activity and value of non-vested options under the 2004 Equity Plan and 2014 Incentive Plan for the periods presented:

​

All non-vested options are expected to vest.

On January 11, 2023, the Company’s six non-employee Board members were each granted 3,033 shares of unrestricted stock. The fair market value of the unrestricted shares for share-based compensation expense is equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant of $9.89. There is no vesting requirement for the unrestricted stock grants and the Company recognized the full expense of $0.2 million during the three months ended February 28, 2023. Additionally, on January 11, 2023, the Company’s board awarded an executive officer 50,000 shares of restricted stock. The shares vested 20% at the grant date, and 20% of the shares will vest on each anniversary of the grant date over four years. The shares are eligible to vote and participate in any dividend or stock splits approved by the Company

On September 14, 2022, the Company issued certain employees 6,000 shares of restricted stock. These shares vested 20% at the September 14, 2022 grant date, and 20% vest each anniversary of the grant date for four years. The shares are eligible to vote and participate in any dividend or stock splits approved by the Company.

On January 12, 2022, the Company’s six non-employee Board members were each granted 2,000 shares of unrestricted stock. The fair market value of the unrestricted shares for share-based compensation expense is equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant of $13.23. There is no vesting requirement for the unrestricted stock grants and the Company recognized the full expense of $0.2 million during the three months ended February 28, 2022.

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2023, the Company recognized $0.4 million and $0.5 million of stock-based compensation expense. For the three and six months ended February 28, 2022, the Company recognized $0.3 million and $0.4 million of stock-based compensation expense. At February 28, 2023, the Company had unrecognized compensation expenses totaling $0.5 million relating to non-vested options that are expected to vest. The weighted-average period over which these options are expected to vest is approximately two years.