wrestlemom,
I can list a few for you:
1. The purpose of public education is to educate, not build a better athlete. If having the best athlete is your goal I would suggest you check out some of the private schools in other states in particular Blair Academy in Ohio. Now I've never checked into it, but I'm guessing if your son doesn't make varsity that tuition, room and board, can be pretty pricey. I'm very skeptical of the quality of education provided at some of these athletemills. I believe at least one of the basketball schools has been sanctioned for a lack attention to the classroom.
2. Secondly, one of the main purposes of sports in schools is to encourage the student to apply themselves in the classroom. If you offer them unlimited opportunities outside of the school system the incentive can be damaged or destroyed all together. Ours is one of the sports that offers nothing in terms of big financial gains. Other than the possibilty of a paid college education, opportunities which are disappearing more and more every day, the payoff is nil. If obtaining a free college education for your child is the goal (as someone mentioned in a previous thread), you're better off taking all the money spent on wrestling from early childhood on and spend it on tutors because an academic scholarship is still the best way to go.
3. Talk to your high school coach and ask them if they are in favor of athletes participating in their sport during season. My guess is they'll say NO. Why would a high school coach dedicate themselves for so little money when their best athletes may be only dedicating themselves to the high profile national events? Not to mention the possibility of injury at a non-school event and the can of worms that opens up in regards to insurance liability and the effect on the school team.
I can't answer you about your own school districts policy and that is a local issue as you stated. Frankly, I've never heard of such a rule. We are fortunate in wrestling that the offseason conflicts little with the school year. Our kids can wrestle freestyle/greco without having to give up much if any high school sport. I do believe the child should participate in as many school sanctioned sports/activities as possible in order to broaden themselves. Once the CHILD, not me as the parent, decides to focus on one sport/activity then I would let them dedicate their time to that one sport/activity only. Remember, even if your child isn't the best trombone player the rest of the band may need them!