Local boards of education may acquire suitable sites for schoolhouses or other school facilities either within or without the local school administrative unit; but no school may be operated by a local school administrative unit outside its own boundaries, although other school facilities such as repair shops, may be operated outside the boundaries of the local school administrative unit. Whenever any local board of education is unable to acquire or enlarge a suitable site, right-of-way, or easement, including utility easements necessary to support school facilities situated on a site, for a school, school building, school bus garage or parking area or access road suitable for school buses, or for other school facilities by gift or purchase, condemnation proceedings to acquire the site, right-of-way, or easement may be instituted by the local board of education under the provisions of Chapter 40A of the General Statutes, and the determination of the local board of education of the land necessary for these purposes shall be conclusive. For purposes of this section, utility easements include easements for water, sanitary sewer, electric power, broadband, and telecommunications services.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-517