Iowa gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn wants Iowa schools across the state to follow the model of Wonder, the unaccredited Kansas school he runs. But a Kansas Reflector investigation found that Wonder repeatedly ran deficits, owes Lahn and his wife approximately $4.5 million, and was the site of the theft of his $8,000 handgun. Lahn’s campaign repeatedly declined to answer questions about the school’s finances or the stolen firearm.
Key findings from the report:
- Wonder’s expenses exceeded revenue in five of six years.
- The school owed Lahn and his wife approximately $4.5 million in 2025.
- Wonder has never sought accreditation from the Kansas State Department of Education.
- The school depends on instructional guides instead of licensed teachers.
- Lahn and his wife are the only publicly disclosed members of Wonder’s board of trustees and are the school’s largest creditors.
- The school has made conflict of interest disclosures to the IRS every year since 2021.
- Lahn’s $8,000 Ithaca Colt 1911 handgun and two .45-caliber magazines were stolen from the Wonder school in 2023.
- Lahn’s campaign declined requests to explain the circumstances that allowed the firearm to be left on school property in a location where it could be stolen.
- Lahn’s campaign declined multiple requests for an interview about Wonder’s academic and financial details.
Read the full report: Iowa gubernatorial candidate’s personal loans sustain Kansas school he touts as better model
Published: Aug 25, 2026