Iowa spent nearly $13,800 per student at K-12 public schools during the 2023 fiscal year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

• That's up 4% from just under $13,300 in the previous year.

Why it matters: Many studies link educational performance with funding, and some critics contend Iowa's is not keeping up with inflation.

By the numbers: Of 41 states where the data is available, Iowa ranked 28th in 2023.

• Vermont ($26,345), New Jersey ($26,280) and Connecticut ($24,896) spent the most.
• Oklahoma ($11,142), Utah ($10,333) and Idaho ($10,203) spent the least.

The fine print: The figures are calculated by creating state aggregates and including payments made on behalf of public school systems, such as education agencies.

State of play: Iowa's most significant K-12 funding is allocated via the State Supplemental Aid (SSA) formula.

• For this school year, lawmakers increased the SSA by 2.5%, or $191 more to just over $7,800.
• They also increased allocations for teacher salaries and set a $15 per hour minimum pay for educational support employees.

What they're saying: The extra allocations help districts, but often are not enough to offset low SSA increases, says Margaret Buckton, executive director for the Urban Education Network, a nonprofit representing Iowa's urban school districts.

Threat level: Iowa's average per-pupil spending was near the national average in 2013 but had fallen nearly $2,400 behind by 2022, per a report she helped write earlier this year.

Zoom in: Groups like the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) recommenced a 4% increase in this year's SSA formula, noting that per-pupil allocations haven't kept up with inflation for years.

• Public school district officials in places like Des Moines and Iowa City have cited chronic underfunding as a reason they cut millions of dollars in spending ahead of the current school year.

What's next: Iowa's 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 13.

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The Polk County Election Office might have a new home soon, county administrator John Norris tells Axios.

Why it matters: The office has become busier in recent election cycles due to state laws that limit absentee dropbox locations to one per county.

• Polk officials also want to increase its functionality and security.

Zoom in: The office has operated at its current downtown site, a 102-year-old county building, for decades.

• Some security improvements were made earlier this year after somebody spiderwebbed its front door but failed to gain entry to the building.

State of play: Some of the building's walls have cracks, which indicate that it may need structural work.

• County officials will determine whether to renovate or relocate after an engineering firm completes an assessment.

What's next: Decisions will likely be made in the first four months of next year.

• The goal is to have renovations or a relocation completed before the 2026 midterm elections, Norris said.

🏨 The downtown Holiday Inn might be turned into 160 studio apartments for low-income people. (Des Moines Register)

✈️ Des Moines International Airport will offer direct flights to Boston and Jacksonville starting in May. (WHO-TV)

✌️ Former Gov. Terry Branstad will retire as the president of the World Food Prize at the end of January. (Business Record)

⛔️ Ankeny Chamber of Commerce dismissed its CEO after an internal audit identified alleged financial irregularities. The group didn't detail the findings, but police are investigating. (WHO-13)

⭐️ Today's headline maker: Laura Knispel of Grimes

Blue Shark Ale House will open in the coming weeks in Gusto Pizza's former location along Ingersoll Avenue, regional manager Kristina Gourd tells Axios.

Driving the news: Final work to set up the restaurant is underway, and the City Council granted its liquor license this week.

• Blue Shark also has a location in Urbandale and one in West Des Moines.

Flashback: Gusto closed earlier this year after less than two years in the spot.