The Jamestown School Board unanimously approved a 1 percent salary increase for the 2019-20 staff.
At a recent board meeting, members discussed the increase for the district including stipends.
"A 1 percent increase on the base plus step would generate almost $13,000 increase on certified budget cost," Superintendent Gretchen Guitard said.
The salary for an individual with a bachelor's degree in education is $31,310. The district increases pay based on number of college credit hours toward a master's and education specialist degree.
Board Secretary Susan Borts and Treasurer John Jones expressed concerns of staying on track with the district's remodeling plan.
"We have a lot of teachers we know probably aren't going anywhere," Borts said. "That doesn't mean we don't need to consider their compensation. But I also feel like the remodeling is a positive too, for our staff."
In 2015, an increase to the operating tax levy of 95 cents per $100 was passed by voters.
At the meeting, Guitard said it would take five years for the fund to generate the necessary amount at the current growth rate.
"Regardless whether we do this (increase salaries) or not, it's not going to increase the fund balances so much that we would have a large change," Guitard said.
No date is set for phase two of the remodel. That phase will include creating a safe entry to the building and additional instruction space on the elementary side.
Athletic staff will receive an increase to their stipends. Principal Jake Watson will receive a new stipend to serve as director of special education.
The board agreed small increases help the district not fall heavily behind other districts in the area.
"If you look at Tipton, (they're) going to jump $500; Boonville's going to jump $400; Russellville's going to jump $500; Pilot Grove's going to jump $600. We're jumping $310," board member Shannen Imsland said. "In two years if they maintain the scales that they're jumping, then we start falling behind."