FLORENCE — The city school board this week hired Tracy Brown as principal of Hibbett Middle School.

Brown, 43, is principal at Guin Elementary, a kindergarten through sixth-grade school in Marion County. She has held the position the past six years, with her career in education spanning 17 years.

Brown, who has a three-year contract for $88,500 per year, will begin in June.

Hibbett Middle School serves students in grades five and six.

Board member Bill Griffin said he appreciated the new process used in hiring Brown. The entire school faculty and staff had the opportunity to ask her questions.

“I appreciate the fact that everyone had a part in the process because it’s important for those employees to know firsthand that she was the right person for the job,” he said.

The board, on Tuesday, also approved a three-year contract extension for Florence High School Principal Lynne Hice. She is completing her second year as principal and will be paid $110,000 per year.

Superintendent Janet Womack praised Hice’s job performance, saying she’s been an exemplary principal.

“We look forward to what the future holds for Florence High School under (Hice’s) continued leadership,” Womack said.

The school board also approved the 2013-14 school calendar, with students returning to school Aug. 19. The last day of classes will be May 29.