AID TOWNSHIP — The Symmes Valley Board of Education Monday night signed off on a new contract with the union representing its classified staff and agreed to begin negotiations with the one representing its teachers.

Superintendent Jeff Saunders said the mediation process will begin Friday with the 62-member Symmes Valley Education Association.

“We’re hopeful,” he said. “We’re having discussions with them as a preliminary move.”

The existing contract between the district and its teachers expires at the end of the school year.

The board gave its official approval Monday night to the contract with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 491, which represents its cooks, bus drivers, teacher’s aides and maintenance staff.

The OAPSE members received a $650 signing bonus but agreed to forego pay increases for two years because of the district’s financial uncertainties. The union approved the new contract last month.

The board also approved a calendar for the 2010-2011 school year. Teachers will return to school Monday, Aug. 16. The first day of school for students will be Wednesday, Aug. 18.