Tennessee Code Title 49. Education § 49-6-2002

(a) All municipal corporations establishing or having a free public school or free public high school are empowered to take and condemn the lands, property, property rights, privileges and easements of individuals and private corporations, in the mode and on the terms provided in this section, for the purpose of school sites or the extension or enlargement of grounds upon which to build schoolhouses or free public high school buildings and the necessary ground appurtenant thereto.

(b) The municipal corporations shall so take and condemn by making compensation to the owner of the lands, property, property rights, privileges and easements. The compensation shall be paid to the owner by the municipal corporations.

(c) The compensation shall be determined in the mode and manner provided by §§ 7-31-107 -- 7-31-112.