ALBANY, Ore., - Two women have filed lawsuits against the Greater Albany Public School District, claiming that their autistic children were mistreated.

The women are seeking a total of $5 million in damages. They contend that the children were emotionally harmed by treatment that they received at Oak and South Shore elementary schools.

They say that the children were placed in small closet-like rooms and not allowed to have bathroom breaks.

The women say that the school district was not responsive to their claims.

Greater Albany School District spokesman Bill Dixon said the district will take the suit very seriously.

"The district will be vigorously involved in the legal case," he told KOIN 6 News. "At the same time, our primary focus will continue to be on providing and enriching safe education for the 8,000 students in our community schools."