In 2010, the Unified School District 497 School Board of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas nearly agreed to close New York and Cordley Elementary Schools due to budget cuts, but the fervent efforts of an organization formed and called Save Our Neighborhood Schools (SONS) helped prevent this.

The group focused particularly on researching and providing the school board with credible alternative budget options; engaging concerned parents and other community members and encouraging them to show up to school board meetings, marches, and rallies; and building relationships of trust with the school board.

Another event put on by the organization was an exhibit at the Percolator in Lawrence from January 30 to February 5, 2010, displaying the schools' vibrant histories as well as artwork made by students attending the affected schools; this exhibit was later that spring displayed at the Lawrence Arts Center.

The schools were not closed, though the East Heights Childcare Center was moved to Kennedy School. SONS received an award from the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice in 2010 for its efforts, and over the course of 2010 the organization faded, its primary purpose completed.