Idaho legislative candidates Dave Finkelnburg and Sam McKee know it takes a lot of shoe leather to cover the newly formed District 28, which encompasses the lion’s share of Bannock County and all of Power County.

    “The hurdle is getting to enough doors,” Finkelnburg said. “It takes time and energy.”

    Both candidates took time Tuesday to allow voters to come to them in the shade of the gazebo at Cotant Park in Chubbuck.

    Those who came to ask questions of the candidates were rewarded with a scoop of ice cream in a cone.

    Democratic candidates in District 28, including House Seat B hopeful Kamren Koompin, of American Falls, will be in Inkom Thursday for another meet and greet.

    Despite the ease of having voters come to them, both Finkelnburg and McKee know the trick is to go out and meet voters on their own turf.

    Finkelnburg said when someone answers the door as he’s making the rounds, the first question he asks of voters is what issue is most on their minds.

    “Education keeps coming back,” the candidate said. “Most of the people I talk to are concerned about education.”

    Both Finkelnburg and McKee said most of the folks they’ve talked to about education in Idaho do not voice much support for Idaho Superintendent Tom Luna’s “Students Come First” legislation, which was put into law by Idaho’s Republican-dominated Legislature.

    The three Luna bills restricted teachers’ bargaining rights and eliminated continuing contracts as well has transferring funding from salaries to new computer technology and mandated online courses for high school students.

    These bills will be on the November ballot as referendums up for voter approval or rejection.

    “When they find out they’re trading teacher salaries for technology that gets them upset,” McKee said.

    McKee said he is worried Idaho is adopting a narrow focus in education that has to do with standardized test scores in a few academic areas and ignores the learning experiences that best prepare students for the future.

    The Inkom native runs his own excavation business as well as a small farm.

    He said even the earth moving business involves new computerized equipment, but it is the ability of workers to learn new skills that makes a difference.

    McKee said teachers instill that lifelong learning desire in students, not the technology.

    Finkelnburg agrees and said he’s worried the state’s approach to education will ultimately rob the state’s children of their ability to be creative.

    “We have been able to maintain a relatively high quality of education in Idaho because of quality teachers and parental support,” Finkelnburg said. “It isn’t a simple matter of technology.”

    If elected, both men said they would help shape a public education plan in Idaho by allowing teachers and parents to have more input. Finkelnburg said Luna’s approach of springing it on everyone was “not a shrewd move.”

    The candidates said they also hear a lot of concerns about good jobs in Idaho on the campaign trail, but they are convinced good jobs will follow a strong public education system in the state.

    McKee said he even talks to voters when he’s busy digging up a project site.

    “I’ll be standing there with a half-inch of dirt on me and people are surprised I’m running for office,” McKee said. “I work a lot right now and finding time to visit with people is hard.”

    “It’s a big district,” Finkelnburg said. “I’ve got a lot more doors to knock on.”