Exhibit 12.1

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends

	Years ended November 30
(Dollars in thousands)	2000		2001			2002			2003		2004
Income (Loss) from continuing operations before taxes	$	23,458	$	(29,836	)	$	(28,576	)	$	11,467	$	(65,311	)
Fixed Charges:
Interest		35,294		32,386			34,227			34,036		36,706
Preferred stock dividends accrued		—		—			—			4,169		16,674
Interest factor portion of rentals		1,440		1,710			1,920			1,650		2,100
		36,734		34,096			36,147			39,855		55,480
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and fixed charges	$	60,192	$	4,260		$	7,571		$	51,322	$	(9,831	)
Preferred stock accretion and accrued dividends	$	11,848	$	13,282		$	14,887		$	12,274	$	—
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock accretion and accrued dividends		1.24x		N/A			N/A			N/A		N/A
Earnings inadequate to cover fixed charges and preferred stock accretion and accrued dividends		N/A	$	43,118		$	43,463		$	807	$	65,311