What Happened to Iowa’s School Funding

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent findings about Iowa’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. A state audit has revealed that the administrative costs for the ESA program are projected to double in the coming years, primarily due to an amended contract with Odyssey, the company managing the program. This amendment, lacking proper documentation, has raised the program’s cost from the initial $729,550 to an estimated $1.5 million by fiscal year 2027. Additionally, reports indicate that a significant portion of ESA funds—approximately 85%—have been allocated to students already enrolled in private schools, rather than expanding educational opportunities as intended. These issues are particularly alarming given the current climate of budget constraints. I urge you to initiate a thorough investigation into the ESA program’s financial management to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and as intended. Thank you for your attention to this critical