If the department and the owner of the tract from which the school site was taken do not agree as to the value of such site or building, the chief judge of the judicial district of the county in which the greater part of such school site is situated shall, on the written application of either party, appoint three disinterested voters of the county from the list of compensation commissioners to appraise such site. The county sheriff shall give notice to both parties of the time and place of making such appraisement, which notice shall be served in the same manner and for the same time as for the commencement of an action in the district court.