Extended Leave for Education or Disability. Upon written request, the Board may grant a leave of absence for a period of not more than two (2) consecutive school years for educational or professional or other purposes and shall also grant such leave where illness or other disability is the reason for the request. Employees requesting leave under this section for reasons of illness or disability shall submit medical documentation substantiating need for the request. Upon return from such leave, the employee, with medical proof, shall resume the contract status he/she held prior to such leave and shall be returned to the same or similar position to that which he/she left.