Any school district shall have power and authority, with the approval of the Department of Public Instruction,¹ to grant, assign and convey to the State Public School Building Authority, with or without consideration, any lands, easements or rights in lands, together with any improvements, buildings or structures therein or thereon, now owned by such school district or hereafter acquired by it, needed or convenient to carry out the purposes of these amendments, as well as furnishings and equipment for school buildings.