When the board of school directors of any district shall enter upon and occupy lands for school purposes, as herein provided, it or the owners of such premises, or any one of them in behalf of all of them, may present a petition to the court of common pleas of the county in which such land is situated, setting forth the facts, giving a description of the premises taken by metes and bounds, and the names of all the owners thereof; whereupon the court shall appoint a jury of viewers, from the county board of viewers, and shall fix a time for a hearing when they shall view the premises. Said time shall not be less than ten (10) or more than thirty (30) days after their appointment. Five (5) days' notice of the time and place for the first meeting shall be given by the petitioners to said viewers and other parties interested. If on account of non-residence, or of any other reason, personal notice cannot be given, notice shall be given of such view by registered letter, or by advertisement, or otherwise, as the court may direct.