Governing boards of school districts may grant leaves of absence to persons employed in positions not requiring certification qualifications, and at their discretion may pay compensation at such rate as the board prescribes, during the absence, to any such employee whose absence is caused by accident or illness, whether or not the absence arises out of or in the course of the employment of the employee, or because of quarantine which results from his contact with other persons having a contagious disease while performing his duties.