I was an art director and graphic designer for 18 years and created
many, many web sites. Your tech person is extremely unprofessional and
insecure. YOU are the client and they should be working with you to
create a site that works, is what you want, and is also graphically
pleasing. White backgrounds have their place, but there is no hard and
fast rule about it.
Please don't stop, Bunki. I know you're tired and disgusted, but you
have no idea how much your site inspires me and my students!
If there is anything I can do to help, please, please let me know.