I didn't know what taint was either, until I looked it up.

There is no shame in being ignorant... choosing to remain ignorant is another matter. Your colleagues are have the blessing of working with someone who knows more than they, and they waste it. I feel pretty sure your IS director is being disingenuous, and would simply rather reinvent the wheel than learn how someone else's modules work. It seems to me that your basic problem here is not conflicting standards, but conflicting attitudes. You care more than they do.

So what are you to do about it?

IMHO, cover your bases and take care of your responsibilities. Your employers, regrettably, seem to care about nothing more than keeping their clients happy... and your employers are your clients. You need concern yourself with nothing more than keeping them happy. And in the meantime, interview with various companies, and wait for the one that feels right. If you've got a dream job with some company, write them. You're not the only one who cares. Find a forum where your passion will be appreciated.