I agree that counseling is needed, but the school also needs to address this on a larger scale. This will ONLY happen when parents demand and monitor it. We had an amazing program in ONE elem school. You could tell which kids went to that school all the way through high school. The program was found, and tweaked, and implemented by the guidance counselor for students from the pre-k classes to the 5th graders. We changed schools and were shocked that NOTHING effective was done in other schools. I asked around and the most 'hoity toity' schools with the kids from the high income areas didn't have anything effective for bullying in the elem schools any more than the ones in the less rich areas. We had been in one of the poorest areas and we had an amazing program that really worked.
Two years later a student in the jr high shot himself right in the school. School tried to blame in on the family being poor, but they were not. The reason was bullying and the evidence was everywhere, but the school still claims they have no bullying problem. They don't, the kids handle it themselves. The school has a policy and kids can report bullying, but they have to use a special form. Teachers and office staff have the form. Teachers make the students tell them what happened and then tell the kid that it was not bullying so they cannot have the form. Somehow the office staff either cannot find the form or the file is empty so they have to come back after copies are made. It is disgusting and happens in all 3 of our secondary schools. I know one teacher got into major trouble over this because I complained about it. I insisted on retraining and a formal note in his file because he denied my child a report four times when my child was showing him bruises over clear bullying. My child finally stopped it by attacking the other student. My child did get 4 a punishment, which I supported, but it was greatly tempered. The teacher was furious over the note, but hwo cares? He was warned not to bully my child by retaliating in ANY way (by the admin, not by me).
We need involved parents to push for effective programs in every school. If funding is the reason, they don't have to be expensive and there are groups that will fund them. Or start a kickstarter campaign or get the PTA and the community involved. Have a silent auction or other fund raiser to raise money to fund an anti-bullying campaign for the school. The district will NOT generally like the entire area to know they are not willing to fund such a hot button issue and neither will the school board. In many areas this will free up some money at least by the next school year. It will also be a big deal in the next election and the board members who made it necessary for parents to fund the program will have a tough time with that issue. Do a lot of bake sales, in school if allowed and OUT of school where the community can see you, if you in any way can. If possible, call restaurants and bakeries and ask for donations of baked goods to help raise $$ at the bake sales. If you do that, you need support from the PTA or another tax exempt organization (could be a church if you have ties to one) to send a thank you letter to the business donating items to you so that it is a tax exempt donation. If the business doesn't want to donate food, ask for bags and disposable gloves, etc... to package the food. Make sure that you have a flyer with the program you want to fund and a list of the businesses that supported you by donating items or space to hold your sale. This helps the business and increases your awareness also.
There are a lot of programs out there, just google them. First ask the school why they are not doing a comprehensive program on such a huge problem? If they tell you it isn't a problem, ask them what it will take to make them see it? Ask what they need to see that they have serious problem? don't fall into the 'a parent meeting' trap because you won't get enough parent there. Go to social media and get kids and parents interested/aware, if possible get a counselor and/or teacher(s) to help you. some districts/schools/principals make this very risky for teachers, so be aware of that. If there is a college in your area, consult their school of education or educational psychology department/teachers to figure out the best ways to reach the admin AND the students AND the families. Heck, once you have some info regarding that, go to the college of business and seek out the dept of marketing for help. Marketing includes advertising and can help you figure out ways to reach everyone involved and help them see the need and benefit of programs like this. Plus, the professors at least have kids, so they are interested in this personally, at least on some level.
These are just some ideas. I hope they help.