VirtueOnline received a letter written by one irate contributor Mr. Cary McNair, son of Bob McNair, owner of the Houston Texans, who threatened to withhold a significant amount of money if the school did not pull the book from the classroom. A VirtueOnline source said the amount was in excess of $3 million.

The McNair's (Cary and Kate) wrote the Board of Trustees of St. Andrew's School (SAS) on August 17 concerning their support of the school.

"In early May, Kate and I met with [Lucy] Nazro (the school's headmistress) to voice our initial protest of SAS's participation in the National Day of Silence (NDS). [NOTE to readers. NDS is a national youth-run effort using silence to protest the actual silencing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people due to harassment, bias and abuse ...] Why would SAS recognize the National Day of Silence, yet not recognize the National Day of Prayer? The NDS brought the short story "Brokeback Mountain" into the discourse. Why would a school that promotes a Christian education environment in its mission statement, and lists moral behavior as one of its core values, have such a story in its senior English literature class, past, present or future? Why would SAS promote classroom discussion on pornographic material concerning deviant behavior? An apparent agenda at the Upper School is developing that is detrimental to SAS's future. Along with pleading that we not publicize the issues, Nazro promised to look into the facts of the situation. Nazro had not read the story, and did not seem very flustered following her brief review of it in the meeting. She noted that she had not had any other parents express concerns. And, Nazro had only received positive feedback from students about how they all cherish the environment that (the English teacher) creates in the classroom that allows such warm and open discussion."

On May 16th the McNair's had a second meeting in which they discussed their contempt for the short story in light of the plethora of other, more appropriate literature available. "Why not use other stories to relate tolerance and acceptance issues? Are students best served by having an English teacher directing the discussion on such issues? Nazro stated that NDS was a mistake, and that SAS would not have NDS again."

However Nazro defended the story saying it had been approved by the "committee" consisting of a UT professor and that the author was an award winning author. "

Another person said that Nazro was the "final authority" on SAS operations and curriculum. "My claim," said McNair, "is that the parents, the 'customers' are the final authority."

On July 25, the McNair's had a third meeting with Nazro in which they relayed to the Board and SAS their concerns to have the book removed and a search begun to find a replacement that handles issues of acceptance and tolerance, but Nazro said almost all the parents and students were satisfied with the material.

McNair responded saying, "Although disappointed with SAS's decision, I was not surprised. My family would reflect upon the school's decision."

On August 1, Kate McNair told a board member in the parking lot of the Upper School that the McNair family had decided that it did not want its name on the school building and that alternate funds should be pursued to supplant their past commitment.

The McNair's then wrote to say that SAS had broken its promise to deliver on its "Mission and Values" (see www.sasaustin.org) and that the family did not want its name on the SAS building and suggested the SAS find alternate funding.

The McNair's wrote: "Support from parents and donors are given on the premise that SAS will deliver what it promises. If SAS, in its final decision and continued conduct, chooses to not follow its declared "Mission and Values" then SAS, by its own action, has removed the McNair funds from the campaign effort, and accepted the potential risk for other support departures."

The McNair's then blasted Nazro and SAS when they learned that students who wanted to form a group for "Fellowship of Christian Athletes" was turned down along with several girls who wanted to form a Bible study group.

"A SAS Trustee suggested we try Regents, rather than SAS. Last year's Upper School play contained adultery between a father and his children's female babysitter as entertainment. This year's play has a happily divorced couple, who continue to live together, discussing the man's desire for an experimental gay affair, to which he proclaims, "Don't knock it 'till you've tried it!" These main characters are drunks, do drugs, and spew forth the virtues of such an altered life. Despite Nazro's assertion to the contrary, we found several other parents that have previously expressed to Nazro, their unequivocal disdain for SAS giving credibility to deviant behavior and non-Christian attitudes."

Nazro later announced to the faculty that the McNairs had pulled their funding due to "debatable issues" but that she still retained the full support of the Board.

The McNair's concluded their letter saying that their support of the school was predicated on the school's intent and delivery of that which was, and is, promised. "With no accountability, defiant defense of faculty and no deference to the "customers" of SAS, we must leverage our resources in hopes of a demonstrative change in attitude and conduct at SAS. We are not dictating curriculum or inventing restrictive demands merely requesting SAS to follow its Mission and Values."

The headmistress of St. Andrew's, Ms. Lucy Nazro refused to return repeated calls from VirtueOnline for comment. Despite repeated efforts the McNairs could not be reached for comment.

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