¶ Overview
Lahn co-founded a private school in Kansas and touted Wonder, Inc. as a model for reinventing schools despite years of deficits and owing the Lahns $4.5 million by 2025. Public records exposed Wonder, Inc. relied heavily on outside funding, while the amount owed to the Lahns grew to $4.5 million and the Lahns’ roles as both school officers and major creditors triggered annual conflict-of-interest disclosures and went against IRS recommendations for nonprofit governance. In Wonder, Inc’s 990 for FY 2025, the school reported owing the Lahns more than $2.68 million each, which was more than seven times the amount originally loaned.
In 2023, Lahn’s handgun and ammunition were stolen from Wonder, Inc. the school Lahn co-founded, and his campaign declined to explain how the gun was left somewhere it could be stolen. He later supported legislation to expand gun rights, including allowing permit holders to carry firearms on school property, arguing armed adults could help “protect” kids.
Lahn pushed policies that would expand taxpayer-funded private school vouchers while increasing scrutiny of Iowa’s public school teachers. Lahn proposed eliminating Iowa’s teacher licensing board and revoking the licenses of teachers accused of “indoctrination” or promoting a “political agenda” in the classroom. His proposals came despite co-founding Wonder, Inc., an unaccredited private school in Kansas that was not required to hire licensed teachers. Wonder, Inc. was not equipped to serve all students with special education needs
Lahn supported expanding school vouchers despite concerns the program diverted public funds to private schools and strained Iowa public schools. At the same time, Wonder, Inc., the private school Lahn co-founded, charged families up to $10,000 in annual tuition. Meanwhile, Iowa’s voucher program cost taxpayers more than $314 million in 2025-2026, subsidized 99% of private school students, and was projected to cost $350 million by 2027.
¶ Lahn Touted Wonder, Inc. As A Model For Reinventing Schools Despite Years Of Financial Problems, Including Owing The Lahns More Than $4.5 Million
¶ Zach Lahn Co-Founded Wonder, Inc., A Private School In Wichita And Served As Its President And Treasurer
2018: Zach Lahn Co-Founded Wonder, Inc., A Private K-12 School In Wichita, Kansas. According to The Wichita Eagle, "Piece by piece -- from a 48-foot 'flying carpet' seating arrangement to Wiki Booths and outdoor climbing structures -- Wichita's newest experiment in education is coming together on the Wichita State University campus. Wonder, a private school financed by members of the Koch family, will open Sept. 4 with 39 students. 'Education can and should be something different,' said Zach Lahn, Wonder's co-founder. 'We're preparing them for when they leave school to be successful in the world, in whatever way they choose that to be. That's really how we framed up the question as we went out and searched and toured other schools,' he said. The Eagle first reported in February that Chase and Annie Koch, the son and daughter-in-law of Koch Industries chief Charles Koch, were financing a new pre-K-through-12th-grade school, which is being built in a former print shop on the WSU campus." [Wichita Eagle, 8/23/18]
FY 2025: Lahn Served As President And Treasurer Of Wonder, Inc. According to IRS Form 990 filings displayed by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Zach Lahn is listed as President/Treasurer of Wonder, Inc. (EIN 82-2635875) with $0 compensation and Annie Lahn is listed as Trustee/Secretary.
[ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder, Inc.– FY 2025 990, Accessed 8/28/26]
¶ Lahn Touted Wonder, Inc. As A Model For Reinventing Schools Despite Years Of Deficits, Millions Owed To Him And His Wife, And IRS Conflict-Of-Interest Disclosures
Lahn Touted Wonder Inc. As A Model For Reinventing Schools While Public Records Showed Years Of Deficits, Millions In Debt To Himself And His Wife, And Yearly Contributions Diminishing From $640,000 To $1,900. According to the Kansas Reflector, "Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn eagerly champions the unconventional, hands-on private school he helped launch in Kansas as the best model for reinventing schools. But Lahn’s campaign narrative about delivering cutting-edge academic leadership at the school called Wonder doesn’t mention its precarious finances. Public records tell a broader story. [...] According to IRS 990s filed by Wonder since it was founded, contributions to the school slumped to $640,000 in 2019-2020 and to $3,500 in 2020-2021. Donations rebounded to $186,000 in 2021-2022, but cratered to zero in 2022-2023. The school reported donations of $11,900 in 2023-2024 and $1,900 in 2024-2025." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
From 2018-2025, Wonder, Inc. Relied On $2.9 Million In Early Grants And Donations And $320,000 In Federal Aid To Survive Years Of Deficits, But Wonder Owed More Than It Owned. According to the Kansas Reflector, "The Montessori-style school in Wichita, which has never sought accreditation from the Kansas State Department of Education, received $1.6 million in grants and contributions before its doors opened in 2018. That was followed by donations of $1.3 million in 2018-2019. Revenue from student tuition in that two-year period totaled $284,000. Without cash from benefactors, the school wouldn’t have covered expenses of $2.6 million in those formative years. [...] The Kansas school’s expenses exceeded revenue in five of six years. In the six-year period, Wonder owed more than it owned. Flush with startup cash in its initial 2½ years, the school was propped up in 2021 and 2022 with $615,000 in personal loans from Annie and Zach Lahn, two of the school’s founders. By 2025, Wonder owed the Lahns approximately $4.5 million.” [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
From 2020-2025, Wonder, Inc. Received $320,000 In Federal COVID And Disaster Aid, Including $170,000 In Loans Forgiven By The Federal Government, While Its Debt To The Lahns Grew To $4.5 Million. According to the Kansas Reflector, "Wonder benefitted from $170,000 in COVID-19 relief loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration tied to the Paycheck Protection Loan program. The pandemic loans in 2020 and 2021 were forgiven by the federal government. In 2020, SBA provided Wonder a separate $150,000 disaster loan. The SBA took a security interest in Wonder Inc.’s property, which was extended in 2025 for five years. Zach and Annie Lahn, the only publicly disclosed members of Wonder’s board of trustees, responded to the school’s financial distress with loans of $615,000. Subsequently, the school moved into its own off-campus building in Wichita valued at approximately $3.8 million. The school’s debt to the Lahns surged to $4.5 million, IRS records show. It wasn’t clear from public records whether Wonder school had taken steps to repay the Lahns." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
¶ After Donating $615,000 In 2021 And 2022, Lahns’ Loans To Wonder, Inc. Triggered Annual Conflict-Of-Interest Disclosures While The Amount Owed Surged To $4.5 Million By 2025
Lahn And His Wife Loaned Wonder Inc. $615,000 In 2021 And 2022, And The School Owed The Lahns Approximately $4.5 Million By 2025. According to the Kansas Reflector, "The Kansas school’s expenses exceeded revenue in five of six years. In the six-year period, Wonder owed more than it owned. Flush with startup cash in its initial 2½ years, the school was propped up in 2021 and 2022 with $615,000 in personal loans from Annie and Zach Lahn, two of the school’s founders. By 2025, Wonder owed the Lahns approximately $4.5 million." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
Lahn’s Loans To Wonder, Inc. Triggered Annual Conflict-Of-Interest Disclosures Because He Was Both A School Officer And Its Largest Creditor, An Arrangement The IRS Recommended Nonprofits Avoid. According to the Kansas Reflector, "The Lahns’ financial intervention triggered, every year since 2021, formal disclosures to the IRS of conflict-of-interest-transactions. The nonprofit’s filings were necessary because the Lahns were not only administrative officers at Wonder but the school’s largest creditor. While Zach Lahn served as board president and treasurer, Annie Lahn was board secretary and a trustee. The structure is contrary to IRS recommendations that nonprofit boards avoid domination by employees or others who lacked independence due to family or business ties." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
- FY 2025: Wonder Inc. Disclosed Annie And Zach Lahn Were Owed A Total Balance Of $2,268,143 Each From Wonder, Inc.
[ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder, Inc.– FY 2025 990, Filed 5/15/26]
- FY 2025: Wonder Inc. Disclosed Annie Lahn Had An Original Principal Amount Of $317,655 And Zach Lahn Had An Original Principal Amount Of $297,655. [ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder, Inc.– FY 2025 990, Filed 5/15/26]
- FY 2025: There Was No Public Disclosure Of Interest Rate, Repayment Schedule, Or Maturity Rate On Zach And Annie Lahn’s Loans To Wonder Inc In Schedule O.
[ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder Inc. – FY 2025 990, Schedule O, Filed 5/15/26]
FY 2021-2025: Wonder Reported “Conflict Of Interest Transactions” To The IRS On Schedule L And Reported An Increase In Balances Over Zach And Annie Lahn’s Loans, Including Balances Seven Times Greater Than The Original Principal Amount In FY 2025. According to IRS Form 990 filings displayed by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder, Inc. has checked the Schedule L box in FY 2021, FY2022, FY2023, FY2024, and FY 2025. According to IRS Form 990 filings displayed by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, "According to its June 2025 tax filing, this nonprofit: Operated a school Organization is a school. Details are reported on Schedule E. Reported conflict of interest transactions Organizations must report loans, grants or business transactions with interested parties, which may include key employees and officers, their family members and any businesses in which they hold a controlling interest. These transactions must be reported on Schedule L."
| Year | Name | Original Principal Amount | Balance Due |
| 2025 | Annie Lahn | $317,655.00 | $2,268,143.00 |
| 2025 | Zach Lahn | $297,655.00 | $2,268,143.00 |
| 2024 | Annie Lahn | $317,655.00 | $2,268,143.00 |
| 2024 | Zach Lahn | $297,655.00 | $2,268,143.00 |
| 2023 | Annie Koch | $317,655.00 | $537,401.00 |
| 2023 | Zach Lahn | $297,655.00 | $514,401.00 |
| 2022 | Annie Lahn And Zach Lahn | $317,655.00 | $379,225.00 |
| 2022 | Zach Lahn | $297,655.00 | $297,655.00 |
| 2021 | Annie Koch Zach Lahn | $20,000.00 | $20,000.00 |
| 2021 | Zach Lahn | $297,655.00 | $297,655.00 |
[ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder Inc.– FY 2021-2025 990, Accessed 8/28/26]
¶ FY 2018-2025: Wonder Inc. Received More Than $3,850,000 In Public Contributions
FY 2018-2025: Wonder Inc. Received $$3,851,766.00 In Public Contributions. According to IRS Form 990 filings displayed by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer,
| Year | Contribution Amount |
| 2018 | $1,616,721.00 |
| 2019 | $1,389,737.00 |
| 2020 | $640,935.00 |
| 2021 | $3,508.00 |
| 2022 | $186,997.00 |
| 2023 | $0 |
| 2024 | $11,938.00 |
| 2025 | $1,930 |
| Total | $3,851,766.00 |
[ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Wonder Inc.– FY 2018-2025 990, Accessed 8/28/26]
¶ Lahn Said Guns Could “Protect Our Kids” After His Own $8,000 Handgun Was Stolen From Wonder, Inc.
¶ Lahn Advocated For Allowing Guns On School Property Despite His Own $8,000 Handgun Being Stolen From The School He Founded
September 2023: Lahn’s $8,000 Handgun And Ammunition Were Stolen From The School He Founded, And His Campaign Declined To Explain How The Weapon Was Left There. According to the Kansas Reflector, "Amid Lahn’s advocacy for the constitutional right to bear arms and legislation allowing people to possess firearms at schools, he didn’t address a Wichita Police Department report in September 2023 that shows his $8,000 Ithaca Colt 1911 handgun, two .45-caliber magazines and a Ford Excursion were stolen from Wonder school. The firearm and bullets were recovered and released to the owner, said Andrew Ford, spokesman for the Wichita Police Department. Lahn’s campaign declined written and verbal requests to explain circumstances that allowed the weapon to be left on school property in a location where it could be stolen." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
¶ Lahn Supported “Constitutional Carry” Without Permits Or Additional State Restrictions
2026: Lahn Supported “Constitutional Carry” Without Permits Or Additional State Restrictions. According to River Cities’ Reader, "All of the questions are published below, along with answers from all candidates, transcribed from the video recording of the event, and from Feenstra's submitted written answers. Kurt Whalen, Moderator Preface: 'These are rapid-fire questions. Candidates may answer only ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ No elaboration during this segment, please!.' 1.1: Constitutional Carry 'Alexander Hamilton called the Second Amendment ‘the best security of a free state.’ He also described the right to bear arms as essential to protect all other rights. Accordingly, as Governor, will you defend constitutional carry for law-abiding citizens without permits or additional state restrictions?' All candidates responded, ‘Yes’." [River Cities’ Reader, 2/6/26]
¶ Lahn Supported Legislation Limiting Employers’ Ability To Restrict Employees From Storing Firearms In Their Vehicles On Workplace Property
2026: Lahn Supported Allowing Permit Holders To Carry Firearms On School Property And Limiting Employers’ Ability To Ban Guns In Vehicles. According to the Kansas Reflector, "During the campaign, Lahn said he supported changes to Iowa statute so permit holders could carry firearms on school property. The GOP nominee embraced proposals to limit the ability of Iowa employers to forbid employees from storing guns in vehicles on workplace property.” [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
¶ Lahn Supported Allowing Permit Holders To Carry Firearms In Schools, Arguing It Would “Protect” Children
2026: Lahn Endorsed “Constitutional” Gun Possession And Said Schools Needed People “Ready To Protect Our Kids.” According to the Kansas Reflector, “He endorsed the concept of ‘constitutional’ possession of weapons, which would shrink a state’s capacity to regulate firearms. He said in an interview with the Iowa Firearms Coalition that action must be taken so schools weren’t targeted. ‘When we put young, vulnerable children in these situations where they have no defense, we are setting things up for bad people to take advantage. And we need to have people there that are ready to protect our kids,’ Lahn said." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
¶ Iowa And Kansas Lawmakers Raised Safety Concerns Over Lahn’s Support For Guns In Schools After His Own Handgun Was Stolen From The School He Founded
August 2026: Kansas Representative Hoye Said It Was “Wild” That Lahn’s Gun Was Stolen From The School He Founded And Asked, “Why Wasn’t It Locked Up?” According to the Kansas Reflector, "Kansas Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, a Lenexa Democrat who previously led Kansas’ chapter of the public safety organization Moms Demand Action, said it was puzzling that an educator would leave a firearm in a vulnerable location on school property. Hoye, a gun owner, opposes legislation to arm teachers or allow guns in classrooms. ‘As far as someone getting one stolen from school, that is wild,’ Hoye said. ‘Why wasn’t it locked up? At the least, you’ve got to secure it.’" [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
August 2026: Iowa Representative Levin Said, “Kids In School And People In Schools Are Less Safe When Guns Are Around.” According to the Kansas Reflector, "Iowa Rep. Elinor Levin, an Iowa City Democrat on the House Public Safety Committee and a former middle school teacher, said an apolitical, unemotional assessment of the issue should lead people to realize firearms in schools elevated the threat of accidental discharges, as well as the risk of theft. ‘Kids in school and people in schools are less safe when guns are around,’ Levin said." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
¶ Lahn Sought To Revoke Teachers’ Licenses For Alleged “Indoctrination” Despite Co-Founding An Unaccredited Private School That Did Not Require Licensed Teachers And Had Limits On The Students It Could Serve
¶ Lahn Threatened To Revoke Iowa Teachers' Licenses For “Indoctrination” Despite Co-Founding An Unaccredited Private School In Kansas That Did Not Require Licensed Teachers
¶ Zach Lahn Co-Founded Wonder, Inc., An Unaccredited Private School In Wichita, Kansas That Did Not Require Licensed Teachers
2018: Zach Lahn Co-Founded Wonder, Inc., A Private K-12 School In Wichita, Kansas. According to The Wichita Eagle, "Piece by piece -- from a 48-foot 'flying carpet' seating arrangement to Wiki Booths and outdoor climbing structures -- Wichita's newest experiment in education is coming together on the Wichita State University campus. Wonder, a private school financed by members of the Koch family, will open Sept. 4 with 39 students. 'Education can and should be something different,' said Zach Lahn, Wonder's co-founder. 'We're preparing them for when they leave school to be successful in the world, in whatever way they choose that to be. That's really how we framed up the question as we went out and searched and toured other schools,' he said. The Eagle first reported in February that Chase and Annie Koch, the son and daughter-in-law of Koch Industries chief Charles Koch, were financing a new pre-K-through-12th-grade school, which is being built in a former print shop on the WSU campus." [Wichita Eagle, 8/23/18]
Since Wonder Inc. Was Unaccredited, The School Was Not Required To Hire Licensed Teachers. According to the Wichita Eagle, “The school will not seek accreditation through the Kansas Department of Education, which means it would not be required to follow state regulations, administer state tests or hire licensed teachers. It also means credits earned by its students would not transfer automatically to other schools or universities.” [Wichita Eagle, 8/23/18]
¶ Lahn Sought To Eliminate Iowa’s Teacher Licensing Board And Punish Educators For Alleged “Indoctrination”
Lahn Proposed Eliminating Iowa Board Of Educational Examiners And Revoking Iowa Teachers' Licenses For “Indoctrination.” According to Iowa Public Radio, "Lahn said the state is spending too much money on education, and the quality is declining. He said he supports ESAs, but most kids go to public schools, and the governor should be ‘the number one advocate for public school kids.’ ‘We need to wipe out the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and put in place people that will hold teachers accountable for when they indoctrinate our kids — suspend their licenses or permanently take their licenses, if we have to,’ Lahn said. ‘But we have to get in there and say we’re not giving up on public schools or public school kids, because that’s where the battle is going to be fought.’" [Iowa Public Radio, 1/28/26]
- Lahn Proposed Revoking The Teaching Licenses Of Educators Who Promoted A “Political Agenda” In The Classroom. According to Lahn’s website, "Revoke Teaching Licenses for Political Indoctrination: If a teacher is caught pushing a political agenda in the classroom, teaching license will be revoked, period." [Zach Lahn, Policy, Archived 6/3/26]
- March 2026: Lahn Warned Of A “Battle” For The “Hearts And Minds” Of Students And Said Schools Should Root Out Political “Indoctrination.” According to the Des Moines Register, "But Lahn said he also believes that Iowa’s governor should be ‘the number one advocate’ for public schools. He framed improvement around rooting out political indoctrination in favor of kids learning ‘the basics’ and driving innovation in learning. ‘There is a battle being waged in our schools for the hearts and minds of young people,’ he said. ‘We cannot cede this ground.’" [Des Moines Register, 3/26/26]
¶ Lahn Represented Wonder, Inc. As A Superior Model For Education Even Though It Could Not Serve Students With Special Education Needs
July 2026: Lahn Flooded Prospective Parents With 15 Promotional Emails In 15 Days, Claiming Wonder, Inc. Operated On A “Different Level” Than Conventional Schools. According to the Kansas Reflector, "In July, Lahn put his name to 15 promotional emails sent over a 15-day period to parents of prospective pre-K-12 students. He said visitors to Wonder could see it operated on a different level than conventional schools, including his alma mater, Sioux City East High School. Lahn’s messages included memories of how the birth of his first son inspired him to reimagine education. He shared reflections on what a joy it was to see six of his children at Wonder." [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
Lahn Claimed “A Better Model” Than Wonder, Inc. Did Not Exist For Equipping Children With Real-Life Skills. According to the Kansas Reflector, "‘I can honestly say that I don’t think a better model exists today for equipping children with real-life skills from an early age,’ Lahn said in a message to parents. ‘It’s definitely a big change from the idea of school that we grew up with.’" [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
Despite Lahn’s Praise Of Wonder, Inc. As A Superior Education Model, The School Was Not Equipped To Serve Students With Certain Special Education Needs. According to the Kansas Reflector, “Students with ADHD, dyslexia and minor forms of autism could thrive at Wonder, but the school wouldn’t be equipped to serve students with other special education needs.” [Kansas Reflector, 8/25/26]
¶ Lahn Supported School Vouchers That Redirected Public Education Funding To Private Schools, Cost Iowa Taxpayers More Than $314 Million, And Strained Iowa Public Schools
¶ Lahn Supported School Vouchers That Redirected Public Education Funding To Private Schools While His Own Private School Charged Families Up To $10,000 In Annual Tuition
¶ Lahn’s Private School, Wonder, Inc. Charged $10,000 Annual Tuition For Elementary Age-Children
Wonder, Inc. Charged $10,000 Annual Tuition For Elementary Age-Children Or $6,500 For Pre-Schoolers. According to The Wichita Eagle, "The school, called Wonder, is preparing to open for preschool and elementary-age children this fall. Plans call for middle- and high-school programs to be phased in over time, and the founders have signed a preliminary ground lease for a larger site on WSU's Innovation Campus. During a tour of the new school Wednesday morning, Lahn and Annie Koch said it has come together according to plan, for the most part. With one notable exception: Some families won't be paying the $10,000-a-year tuition for elementary-age children or $6,500 a year for preschoolers." [Wichita Eagle, 8/23/18]
¶ Lahn Supported Expanding Iowa’s Private School Voucher Program While Arguing Public Schools Should Compete With Private Schools
Lahn Supported “School Choice” Through Education Savings Accounts While Calling Himself An Advocate For Public School Students. According to the News Iowa, "Lahn said he supports both public schools and school choice programs. ‘I think that education savings accounts have been our foundational freedom,’ he said. ‘The governor has got to be the number one advocate for public school kids.’" [The News Iowa, 5/11/26]
- Iowa’s Education Savings Account Was Iowa’s School Voucher Program. According to KCRG, "The number of Iowans applying for an Educational Savings Account under Iowa’s new school voucher program has surpassed projections, raising questions on the costs to state taxpayers and local school districts." [KCRG, 6/9/23]
Lahn Supported Expanding Education Savings Accounts And Claimed Competition Between Public And Private Schools Would Improve Education. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, "Lahn: He said he would expand the ESA program, as well as working to improve the quality of public schools. ‘The governor of Iowa must be the number one advocate for public school kids in the state,’ Lahn said. ‘I can’t wait to get in and work on the culture and quality of our public schools, so private schools also have to compete with them. It makes everybody better.’" [Iowa Capital Dispatch, 5/5/26]
¶ Iowa’s School Voucher Program Diverted Public Education Funds To Private Schools, Subsidized 99% Of Private School Students, And Cost Taxpayers More Than $314 Million
HEADLINE: “Iowa's Surging ESAs Now Subsidize 99% Of Private School Students” [Des Moines Register, 3/3/26]
2025-2026: Iowa’s School Voucher Program Cost Taxpayers $314 Million, An Increase From $218 Million In 2024-2025. According to the Iowa State Daily, "As Iowa’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program continues to expand, questions remain about how the state oversees the program and what information about its spending is publicly available. Created in 2023 by House File 68, the ESA program allows eligible families to use state funds to cover private school tuition costs, non-traditional education and other fees. Participation in the program has grown in recent years, costing taxpayers more than $314 million for the 2025-26 school year, up from $218 million the previous year." [Iowa State Daily, 2/16/26]
Iowa’s School Voucher Program Was Projected To Cost Taxpayers $350 Million In 2027. According to the Des Moines Register’s Mike Trautmann’s Twitter, "Just how much has @IAGovernor 's education savings accounts reshaped K-12 education? 99% of Iowa's private school students are now publicly funded, costing an estimated $350M next year."
[Twitter, @DMRPoliticsCzar, 3/3/26]
HEADLINE: “Iowa Schools Struggle With Funding Cuts As Private Vouchers Rise” [CBS 2 Iowa, 2/6/26]
The Iowa State Education Association Highlighted The Impacts Of More Than A Decade Of Underfunding Iowa Public Schools, Especially After $350 Million Was Diverted For School Vouchers In 2025-2026. According to CBS 2 Iowa, "Iowa's public schools have faced over a decade of underfunding, leading to difficult decisions such as transportation cuts, program eliminations, and increased class sizes. Joshua Brown, president of the Iowa State Education Association, highlighted the impact on students, saying, 'When a student cannot enroll in an orchestra program, when an elementary classroom grows by six to eight students, and when our art and automotive and language classes are becoming a luxury, the quality of what we are offering students suffers.' The diversion of public funds to private school vouchers is a significant concern, with $350 million allocated to vouchers this year alone. Brown said, 'That money should and could be used to cover shortfalls and support more classes...setting our students up for success.' Education leaders warn that the funding shortfall is particularly severe for students with disabilities, as staffing shortages and rising caseloads strain resources." [CBS 2 Iowa, 2/6/26]